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20.10.17

Horse POWER

What does it take to train a horse the natural way?

BREAST CANCER: A YEAR ON

We meet up with our 2016 makeover stars

Strangely ENOUGH As Stranger Things returns to our screens, channel your inner Eleven in ’80s-inspired, futuristic-leaning designs

THE HORROR! THE BEST HALLOWEEN PARTIES IN THE UAE

fridaymagazine.ae

EDITOR’S LETTER

Editor Natalie Long Deputy Editor Mrinal Shekar Features Editor Anand Raj OK Fashion Editor Lindsay Judge Lifestyle Writer Shreeja Ravindranathan

DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY

Art Editor Mark Setchfield Designer Zahra Allowatia Photographers Aiza Castillo-Domingo, Stefan Lindeque, Anas Thacharpadikkal Senior Picture Editor Verina Durand

PRODUCTION

Production Editor Omar Ali Pre-press Superintendent Sarder Bakiruddin Pre-press Operators Shirantha Mendis, Atul Paradkar, Sohellur Rahman, Eliezer Semine

ONLINE

Group Digital Strategy Director Jonathan Richards Web Content Editor Sana Umer

ADVERTISING

Commercial Director Rajeev Khanna Advertising Sales Manager Tripti Singh Account Manager Raja Swamy Tel 04 406 7850 Email rswamy@gulfnews.com Ad Control Ian Japitan, Jesse Esther Tel 04 406 7820 Advertising email fridayadsales@gulfnews.com

MARKETING & CIRCULATION

Group Marketing Manager Matthew Moore Email mmoore@gulfnews.com Tel 04 406 7233 Distribution Manager Thomas Mathew Email tmathew@gulfnews.com Tel 04 406 7656

ADMINISTRATION

Senior Secretary Ma Cecelia Jyrwa Email cmcabergas@gulfnews.com Tel 04 406 7505 Fax 04 342 1527

GN MEDIA

Editor-in-Chief Abdul Hamid Ahmad Design Director Miguel Angel Gomez

PHOTOS BY XXXXXXX WORDS BY XXXXXXXXX

Get in touch with us at friday@gulfnews.com or 04 344 7100.

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Friday is published and printed by Al Nisr Publishing LLC

A ‘PINK’ TRUTH WE NEED TO HEAR

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his issue has been one of the most moving editions of Friday that I’ve done in the nearly 12 months that I’ve been here (wow, where did that go?).

Here’s why: It’s October, the month when we draw attention to the devastating impact of breast cancer, which affects so many women and

returned to tell us what has happened to them in the last 12 months; find their words on page 26.

Speaking about one’s illness is no easy matter, and I hope their openness leads to our readers going for check-ups, and talking about self-examination with their friends and family.

Our cover shoot on page 44 – inspired by the hit TV show Stranger

While cupcakes and nail polishes might raise awareness, breast cancer is more than a pink ribbon – it can take a life their families in the UAE. In the past, Friday has done makeovers with women who are fighting the illness.

Earlier this summer, we heard the heart-breaking news that one of last year’s makeover stars, Muskan Mittal, had succumbed to breast cancer, aged 35. It reminded us that breast cancer is a killer; while the pink cupcakes and nail polishes sold this month might raise awareness (if not always funds – buyer beware), we had to share the message that breast cancer is more than a pink ribbon – it can take a life.

We are honoured that Muskan’s husband, Nischay, took the time to tell us about her life, and that the three women who joined us last year

Things – is just right for getting you into that Halloween spirit. The spooky ’80s throwback show returns for its second season next week, and we’re big fans of its Spielberg-esque vibe, arcade games and, especially, it’s otherworldly female lead, Eleven.

You’ll also find a fascinating feature on Tariq Al Muhairi, who uses his unique talents to communicate with horses at his stables in Abu Dhabi.

Turn to page 36 to find out about horse whispering. It’s also time for another edition of People of the Emirates, Esha Nag’s series meeting long-time residents of the UAE. She sat down with Nikhil Uzgare, a veteran of the country’s rock scene, to hear his story.

NatalieLong,editor Reachmeatnlong@gulfnews.com

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CONTENTS

20.10.2017

21

36 STORY TELLERS

11

STARGAZING

13

SLICE OF LIFE

15

A page for readers to share their thoughts, views and stories.

What your stars foretell for the week ahead.

63

Our columnist walks down memory lane – of a time when kids used to walk to school and even had time to visit an aunt’s home for lunch.

Friday. Also, one man shares how he is coping with the loss of his wife to the dreaded disease.

PEOPLE OF THE UAE

31

MOODBOARD

Jackets, skirts, shoes and clutches in shades of pink and red.

17

As an expat, if you miss something of your hometown, you can moan and get nostalgic about it; or, like musician Nikhil Uzgare, you can just create it here.

HEALTH NEWS

21

MY WORKING LIFE

35

LEISURE CHARTS

22

IN THE UAE

36

IN THE UAE

25

HEALTH

26

Can you think yourself slim? That and other latest updates from the world of health and wellbeing.

The spookiest night of the year - Halloween - is just around the corner and to make it easier for you, we list some must-prowl places. Plus, an update on happenings in the UAE. Meet the Pink Ribbon Crafters who are raising funds for breast cancer treatment.

We meet women who participated in last year’s breast cancer makeover shoot for

Weather forecaster Ahmad Al Kamali reveals the highs and highs of his job including why predicting fog is important.

Emirati horse whisperer Tariq Al Muhairi shares his passion for all things equine and reveals the secrets of getting the animal to obey commands without using a whip.

44

THE DETAILS

The latest happenings from the fashion and beauty worlds.

FASHION

42 & 55 44

Inkeeping with Season 2 of Stranger Things that returns to living rooms, we put together some futuristic styles – with a novel twist.

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CONTENTS BEAUTY

52

ASK THE EXPERTS

56

FOOD

58

RECIPE CARDS

63

FOOD NEWS

65

TRAVEL NEWS

66

TRAVEL

68

MOTORING

70

PUZZLES

72

MY FABULOUS FRIDAY

74

With the fitness challenge on now, it’s time you included your beauty regime into it.

Advice from the best in the UAE. Chili, beans, potatoes and duck come together for some delicious one-pot wonders.

Check out some pasta perfect recipes.

ON THE COVER

Photography by StefanLindeque StylingbyLindsayJudge Artdirectionby VerinaDurand

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70

Our food culturalist, Arva Ahmed, goes on a tangy culinary adventure tasting Mamak Restaurant’s sour fish curry.

Tips and must-visit destinations including staycation suggestions.

Can a travel experience be marred by connectivity? Two writers debate the selfie culture.

Mercedes’ E-Class coupé tested.

Crossword and sudoku brain-teasers

74

The GCC’s only sand artist Shayma Al Mughairy on why she is a Japanophile and what draws her to Oman.

58 facebook.com/FridayMagazine 8

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@Friday_Magazine

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DON’T MISS IT Never miss an issue of Friday. Call subscriptions 8004585or send an email to circ@gulfnews.com

STORYTELLERS Each week, we’d like you to share your thoughts, anecdotes, views or stories. Last week we asked you to tell us about a piece of jewellery that holds memories.

The one piece of jewellery that is very special to me is a ring I bought for my mum from the first salary that I received. She still has it. Even though it isn’t very expensive, it’s very special because it symbolises my love for her. Seema Ismail

Precious jewellery reminds me of the watch my dad bought me when I was in grade 3. Giving me the watch he said, ‘This must be worn when you sit for your 10th grade public exams, too.’ I did, and I still have it with me safely. Now, I am 40 years old, a mother of two and I still like to wear the watch. It gives me lots of lovely memories of my childhood days. I love and treasure my precious jewellery. Priya Lakshman

A little piece of jewellery that brings back fond memories of a great year, lies in my carved wooden jewellery box, carefully enclosed in thin, muslin cloth. It’s a simple necklace of grey shiny beads a student put together for me 15 years ago. It is so special because when handing it to me shyly she said: ‘Ma’m, I made

this for you myself because you made a difference in my life and I love you for it.’ The girl who once was so quiet, reserved and shy, is now a confident young woman and very successful in life. This piece reminds me that I can transform lives.

The most precious and most exquisite piece of jewellery that I have is a necklace my mother gave me for my wedding. It has a motif of flowers inlaid with white stones. The charm of this necklace is that it’s a blend of traditional and modern, and personifies elegance. It’s a perfect piece of jewellery that can be worn at all times. More than its beauty, it’s my parents’ love that makes it special. Sheena. V

both sentimentally and monetarily, have waned with time. I and my mum bought this ring in Mumbai. Two stones have fallen out, but I believe if I tell the jeweller of its history, he will be more than willing to fix it for its vintage and sentimental value. Jayashree Mehta

A set of gold bangles for baby girls. I was very young when my uncle took me to a gold shop during one of our usual strolls. Back then we lived near Naif Souq and the gold shops were located right opposite in Manal Center. I still have those bangles; they remind me of my childhood and my uncle, who passed away in a car crash in Al Dhaid in 1996. They are some of my most prized possessions. Fatima Suhail 10

Esther Rodriguez

Bala Sadasivan

I received an extremely gaudy and tacky necklace paired with a similar-looking bracelet as a prize after winning a game of musical chairs years ago. I never wore it but for some reason carried it around with me almost everywhere.

The reason I refused to part with the nugatory piece of jewellery was that the prize had been handed to me by a really cute boy in my grade. I still possess the little bracelet although it hardly fits around my wrist. Whenever I come across it while sorting my drawers, this fond memory crosses my mind filling me with nostalgia. Sarah Ronad

I realised I was getting older when a two decade-old ring (right) that I bought with my first salary needed an addendum. What was perfect 20 years ago on the youthful me was getting lost on the more mature and (slightly) bigger me. But neither the style nor the value of the ring,

I discovered Kpop (Korean pop) in my second year of high school when I stumbled upon EXO, a boy band on YouTube and instantly fell in love with the members and their music. Last year, on my 18th birthday, my parents gave me a lovely gold necklace from which an intricate EXO logo hung. I still remember my heart skipping a beat and not being able to think straight when I first saw the necklace. It’s probably the most beautiful thing I’ve seen (after the EXO members, of course). That necklace was a reward from my parents for acing my junior year examinations and it always acts as a reminder to me to work hard whenever I feel demotivated. I thank my parents for giving me something that I’ll guard more than my life.

This week we want to know: Tell us about the best costume you have ever worn on Halloween.

Email your replies to friday@gulfnews.com, or comment on facebook.com/FridayMagazine. Answers may be edited for clarity and/or length.

STARGAZING

Shelley von Strunckel, one of the world’s top astrologers, writes a weekly forecast for Friday PISCES FEBRUARY 18 – MARCH 19 Witnessing plans you’ve struggled to organise and personal dreams come undone is disappointing but you’re conscious that, because times are changing, these wouldn’t be as rewarding as you hoped.

In letting them go you’re clearing the way to focus on certain new, and still delicate, plans. Invest in these, with your ideas and, where appropriate, your heart. You will be repaid abundantly.

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 22 – OCTOBER 22

ILLUSTRATION BY HATTY PEDER

Between the Libra New Moon on the 19th and having your ruler Venus and, as of Sunday, the forthright Mars in your sign, your thinking and objectives will be clearer. Discuss the facts of the situation with those whose insights you value. Since you’ll have little to discuss or debate and the necessary steps will be clear, the decision-making process will be quick and easy.

ARIES MARCH 20 – APRIL 18 If ever there was a time to think big, it’s now. However, while you’re usually self-sufficient, judging by the powerful planetary alignment in the partnership angle of your chart, you’ll both want and need the support of others. Urgent as decisions seem, with the actual circumstances in transition, ensure any plans are flexible enough that, as their foundation shifts, they can be easily altered.

TAURUS APRIL 19 – MAY 19 While you’ve complained often that others leave everything to you, now that decisions actually are out of your hands, you’re anxious.

Judging by the positive planetary line up accenting the individuals in question, they’re both able and willing to turn already good ideas into something extraordinary. And you? Focus on disentangling yourself from arrangements that, increasingly, are holding you back.

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23 – NOVEMBER 21 Luck can appear in many forms. While, ordinarily, you’d be unsure whether certain appealing offers are as good as they seem, this week is different. The events triggered by the potent link between the Sun and fortunate Jupiter should make it abundantly clear how worthwhile these are. If you hesitate, or insist on investigating further, it will be out of sheer stubbornness and little else.

GEMINI MAY 20 – JUNE 20 Reorganising the practical side of your life, dealing with work or health issues may not sound exciting. But knowing the planetary setup until early November promises to streamline even persistent issues that might rouse your interest. This isn’t just the case, the ideas you encounter and people you meet could lead to options that hadn’t crossed your mind or simply weren’t possible.

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 20 Usually you’re the leader with exciting ideas, pursuits and places.

Yet with both the Sun and your ruler Jupiter newly positioned in the most reflective part of your chart, you’re looking within, questioning elements of your life you simply regard as unchanging.

What you do, learn or who you meet this week could trigger a journey of self-discovery as exciting as it will be worthwhile.

CANCER JUNE 21 – JULY 21 Balancing life’s pleasures and its obligations always involves juggling time, others’ requirements and your own needs. But now that certain amazing ideas or offers are in the air, the stakes are so high you’re anxious. You needn’t be. Not only are the planets backing you, the Sun’s superb alliance with Jupiter, on Thursday, suggests things could go better than you conceive possible.

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 21 – JANUARY 18 Out of character as leaving even minor decisions, tasks and long term plans to others may be, you’ve begun a cycle that’s about doing exactly that. This isn’t about escaping duty but, rather, focusing on certain unaccustomed matters. But, also, in the process, you’ll be learning from the choices those left in charge of things make. Take it slowly. You’re in unfamiliar but thrilling territory.

LEO JULY 22 – AUGUST 21 For ages you’ve been battling changes in the structure of your domestic activities, life out in the world or both. Yet with fortunate Jupiter accenting these matters and, better yet, meeting your ruler the Sun on Thursday, not only will the actual situation improve, so will your mood. Enough that, at last, you’ll begin giving serious thought to those changes. Go for it. You’ll never regret it.

AQUARIUS JANUARY 19 – FEBRUARY 17 Because you’re both sociable and genuinely interested in others and the world around you, it seems inconceivable you can be so stubborn about certain matters. Yet events are triggering an intense reaction. Until it’s questioned, you don’t realise you have options.

This week’s about exactly that. Once those options are clear, you’ll feel a thrilling new freedom, one you didn’t realise was possible.

VIRGO AUGUST 22 – SEPTEMBER 21 Only weeks ago, you simply wouldn’t have considered certain lifechanging ideas or offers. In fact, you may have already turned them down. However, with the mighty Jupiter having just moved into this portion of your chart, not only are the potential rewards getting more exciting by the day, you’re getting braver. Give it a go.

You’ll only regret what you didn’t try, not what you did.

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SLICE OF LIFE

ONCE UPON A TIME ...

Lori Borgman finds the funny in everyday life, writing from the heartland of the US. Now, if she could just find her car keys…

T

ell us a story about when you were our age,” three of the grands clamor as we help put them to bed.

“Well, OK. When I was 6 years old I walked twelve blocks to school every day.”

“That’s a long walk.”

“It didn’t seem long, although as I remember it was uphill both ways.”

“Did any adults go with you?”

“No. Just other kids.”

They gasp in horror.

“No, that was all right back then. Lots of kids walked to school.”

“Uphill both ways!” one adds.

“Exactly. And at the start of school a voice would come over the public address system and announce what would be served in the school cafeteria for lunch. Then the teacher would ask who would be buying lunch at school and who would be going home for lunch.”

“Kids got to go home for lunch? No way!”

“Yes, way. You could go home for lunch if you didn’t live far and could walk fast.”

“But you lived far and it was uphill both ways.”

“Yes, but I had three elderly great aunts who lived only six blocks from school. If I didn’t like the school lunch, I would raise my hand that I was going home for lunch.”

“Who walked with you?”

“Nobody.”

More looks of disapproval.

“Tell them kids did that back then,” I say to the husband.

He shakes his head as though he’s never heard of such a thing.

“So I would walk to my great aunts’ house,

knock on their door and announce I was there for lunch.”

“Were they surprised?”

“I think so. They often let out little screams, which were probably squeals of delight. One would race to heat soup, another would ask if I wanted crackers and a third would start cooking chocolate pudding. They’d sit me in a tall chair at the long dining room table and watch me eat. As soon as I finished, one of them would walk me to the end of the block and watch until I turned the corner to go back to school.”

“That’s a scary bedtime story, Grandma.”

“It is not a scary story; it’s a wonderful sliceof-life story. But one day my great aunts told my parents what I had been doing and that I shouldn’t do it anymore in case one day I came and they weren’t home.”

They shake their heads in agreement, siding with the voices of caution and disapproving of Grandma’s actions as a six-year-old.

I am quick to tell them they should never, ever do anything like that today, even though it was OK for me to do it a long time ago. And they should also eat whatever the school is serving.

Bedtime stories with grands should not end with strong caveats, but mine did.

They turn to Grandpa and say, “Tell us a story about when you were our age.”

“Well, he says, thinking. “I always did what I was told and never disobeyed.”

At least my story was true.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK, EMAIL US AT

friday@gulfnews.com

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FASHION Dress Dh2,540, Solace London at S*uce

Skirt Dh470, BCBG Max Azria

Dress Dh2,255, OTT at S*uce

BagDh149, Zara

Jumper Dh1,340, Kenzo at Stylebop.com

Bag Dh169, Parfois

MOOD BOARD

DELPOZO

Bag Dh499, Intropia

The fashion and beauty products we love. This week: Pink and Red Jacket Dh1,679, Intropia

OSCAR DE LA RENTA PHOTOS BY GETTY COMPILED BY LINDSAY JUDGE

Shoes Dh2,060, No21 at TRYANO

SkirtDh239, Mango

Clutch Dh79, New Look

Skirt Dh2,208 Marc Jacobs

Jumpsuit Dh299, Miss Selfridge

Bag Dh575, Guess 17

FRIDAY PROMOTION

This brunch has some of the best views in town – whether it’s the buffet or the breathtaking skyline

SKY HIGH BRUNCH AT THE OBSERVATORY DUBAI MARINA

A

s you walk into The Observatory, the first thing you’ll notice is the view. It might be the most incredible thing that you’ve seen.

The Observatory is located on the 52nd floor of the Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites and its 360-degree perch means you are spoilt for choice when it comes to the views – one side being the Marina, the other side overlooking the Palm Jumeirah.

Diners are also spoiled for choice when it comes to the food selection too, with a wide

variety including starters, a soup station and an incredible oyster bar – not to mention the chefs’ individual live stations, at which they prepare cuts of grilled meat and fish. The main course dishes change on a weekly basis, so there’s always something new to try at the recently revamped brunch offering.

Tuck into salads to start with some sushi on the side as you drink in the atmosphere with the DJ playing uplifting beats. But then, it’s up to you – you could go for a full-on roast dinner with extra Yorkshire puddings, or opt for grilled lobster and salmon. Then hit the dessert area for cake, ice cream and a chocolate fountain – and if you’re not a sweets person, head to the cheese selection.

For the rest of the afternoon, blissfully take in the views and watch the skydivers float by and land – it’s so pretty to see the colourful daredevils dancing around the sky. The restaurant’s happy hour continues after brunch.

The Sky High Brunch is Dh450 per person, every Friday 12.30-3.30pm.

Call 04 319 4000.

HEALTH NEWS MEDICAL TERM OF THE WEEK: PICA

Ever had the urge to eat something that’s not really that edible, like ice? You wouldn’t think so but people diagnosed with pica have the insatiable urge to eat non-food substances like paint, dirt or glue. It is thought that nutritional deficiencies may cause this behaviour, but it is also a recognised mental disorder, with research ongoing into its causes.

Yourweeklydoseofthelatestfrom theworldofhealthandwell-being

COULD BREAST CANCER BE CAUSED BY BACTERIAL IMBALANCES? Researchers from Cleveland Clinic comparing bacterial composition in healthy vs. cancerous breast tissue have uncovered differences in the bacterial composition. The revelation that healthy breast tissue contains more of the bacterial species Methylobacterium could offer a new perspective in the battle against breast cancer. The hope is to be able to use microbiomics right before breast cancer forms and then prevent cancer with probiotics or antibiotics.

WORDS BY INGA STEVENS PHOTOS BY GETTY/SHUTTERSTOCK

FOR MORE HEALTH UPDATES

fridaymagazine.ae

CAN YOU THINK YOURSELF SLIM?

Obesity in the UAE is double the world’s average – a 2016 study by the Dubai Health Authority found that 36 per cent of men and 30 per cent of women in Dubai are overweight, with 11.9 per cent people being obese. Many resort to surgery to lose weight and reduce their risk of related diseases such as diabetes and heart problems. What if hypnotherapy – rather than bariatric surgery – could reduce that number?

An increasingly popular solution is the virtual gastric band (VGB), which uses hypnosis to convince the patient’s brain that they have had a gastric band fitted. Friday spoke to Anna Yates, psychotherapist and clinical hypnotherapist at Mind Solutions in Dubai, to learn more about this alternative weight-loss strategy.

What is a virtual gastric band?

A virtual gastric band uses hypnosis to convince your mind that you have undergone a gastric band surgery, thereby helping you to reduce your portion sizes and eat more healthily. The sessions also incorporate a combination of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Neuro Linguistic Processing (NLP) to encourage you to rethink your attitude towards food and eating and move towards a healthier lifestyle overall. The programme involves four sessions, totalling approximately eight hours and includes four sessions of hypnosis. Additionally, we send clients hypnosis recordings to listen to at home.

HOW THE UAE IS DEFEATING DISEASE

Did you know that the Guinea worm disease is set to become the second human disease in history to be eradicated, thanks to the UAE’s ongoing contributions to global disease eradication? You can learn more about it, and other diseases that the global health community is fighting to eradicate, such as polio, river blindness, lymphatic filariasis, and malaria when the Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease exhibition comes to Abu Dhabi next week. Explore it all through images, video and interactive exhibitions.

Following popular residencies in New York, London and Atlanta, the exhibition will be open to the public from October 16-November 14 at Al Maryah Island’s Promenade. See it Saturday-Thursday: 11am-3pm and 5-10pm; Fridays: 1pm-10pm; admission is free.

Q&A

Why hypnotherapy rather than dieting?

Dieting alone is rarely enough to reduce weight and keep it off permanently, simply because diets do not address the allimportant complex, emotional relationships that overweight people have with food.

Through hypnotherapy, you can change your emotional relationship with food making it easier to stick to a healthy lifestyle.

MEDICAL GADGET OF THE WEEK: ZAPI LUXE UV TOOTHBRUSH SANITIZER Brush up on cleanliness with this cute UV toothbrush sanitizer. Violife UV toothbrush sanitizers eliminate 99.9 per cent of germs with pure ultraviolet light. Available now, priced Dh128 at violife.com

Who is it for?

It’s ideally for people who have between 10 and 30kg to lose, and want to lose it in a healthy and sustainable way.

What is the success rate?

The success rate is 75 per cent, which is higher than the success rate for the actual gastric band – and obviously with zero health risks.

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THE LEISURE CHARTS Lapita Hotel This one’s for

adults only. The hotel’s Halloween stay package, the Haunted Mu Cluster, turns one of the guest room buildings into a haunted house from October 26-31 for an immersive haunting – guests are told to expect hair-raising episodes during their stays. From Dh1,250 per room per night including in-room breakfast. Call 04 810 9999.

HALLOWEEN PARTIES

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e’re not sure about black cats prowling around but you’ve got to know it is Halloween what with gleaming pumpkins and costumes decorating every store’s window.

Here’s where you should head out on the spookiest night of the year (or the weekend before) for some shivers down your spine.

Al Qasr 30 per cent off one of the

city’s most lavish brunches – and all you have to do is look terrifying.

The Al Qasr brunch on October 27 is giving a discount to those who show up in costume (there are special menu items, too). 12.304pm, from Dh550 for adults and Dh275 for kids; call 04 432 3232

Barasti DJ Jazzy Jeff is back

at one of Dubai’s biggest annual Halloween costume parties on October 27. Free entry; 04 511 7139.

Chamas For some brunchers,

there’s nothing scarier than the screams of children playing on a bouncy castle at the venue.

For families, however, it may be a welcome respite from the little terrors – so head to this familyfriendly costume brunch with entertainment for kids including bouncy castle, face painting and a play area on October 27. From Dh399, 1-4pm. Call 800 CROWNE.

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Couqley, JLT The French

bistro has a Halloween-themed family day on October 28 with a balloonist from 1-3pm and a costume contest for young and old.

Call 04 514 9339.

Dubai Parks and Resorts

Little ones can trick-or-treat at Riverland’s many restaurants and be sure to leave with bags full of candy during Halloween celebrations from October 27-31 Plus: face painting, a Halloween maze, pumpkin carving and screenings of kid-friendly movies.

Fairmont The Palm Check

into a haunted hotel on October 31 with an All Hallows Eve afternoon tea and prizes for the best outfits; from 3-6pm. Dh95 for adults and Dh65 for children below 12 years.

Falcon Kids Club is hosting Fright Night with cookie decorating, games, scary art workshops and trick or treating around the hotel.

From 4-6pm, Dh150 per child; call 04 457 3331.

Treehouse, Taj Dubai The

rooftop venue will turn into a haunted treehouse on October 31 with Halloween-themed drinks and bites while DJ Taylor plays the eeriest horror movie soundtracks to set the mood. Snacks from Dh41; call 04 438 3100.

Fiesta De Los Muertos, Autism Rocks Arena The

Halloween-themed concert is back on October 27 and is all about the fun kind of screaming – when bands like Gorillaz, singer Carly Rae Jepsen and Lebanese-Canadian R&B/pop singer Massari perform.

Tickets from Dh350 at 117live.com.

Mahiki The Polyneisan bar is

hosting a Rocky Horror Show party on October 26. On October 29 Mahiki Madness: the Halloween Edition party will continue until 1am – after all, there’s no rest for the wicked. Call 055 216 0181.

Nasimi The Atlantis beach club’s

Halloween party is on October 26, turning the venue into a midnight freak show with a soundtrack from BBC Radio 1’s Danny Howard.

Early bird tickets are Dh100 at platinumlist.net, Dh150 on the door; call 055 200 4321.

360° The waterfront nightspot has its Monster Halloween party on October 26 with music by British DJ and house music producer Joey Negro. Call 04 4323232.

Zero Gravity There’s

Dh50,000 up for grabs for the best costumes on October 26. Free for women, Dh50 for men before 9pm, Dh100 after 9pm; call 04 399 0009.

XDubai Skatepark, Kite Beach The venue holds

its first Halloween event on October 27. There are prizes for best costumes, plus food and merchandise deals, 6–11pm. Dh25-35 to enter.

Wafi Mall An array of events

are happening at the mall’s main atrium from October 2728. The mall’s Halloween bash includes trick or treating, spooky storytelling sessions and costume competitions with cash prizes worth Dh1,000 each day. There’s more money for the daring – those brave enough to take a selfie with one of the scary characters roaming the mall enter a draw to win WAFI vouchers and cash prizes worth Dh2,000. Visit wafi.com.

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Address Dubai Marina

Experience New Orleans’ eerie Gothic vibe at a murder mystery dinner on October 31. During the dinner, you’ll be transported to the original Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in old New Orleans in 1965 where you’ll have to solve a murder mystery as you enjoy a four-course meal. Wear your best 1960s dinner attire. Dh450 per person; from 6-11pm. Call 04 454 9538.

Sheraton Grand Hotel Dubai On October 31, Feast

transforms into a menacing venue with pumpkin heads and other spooky features. The Halloween menu will be heavy on pumpkin; from Dh199; call 04 503 4444.

Yas Waterworld The

waterpark is bringing back its Dana’s Spooktacular event on October 27 for a third time. The piratethemed celebration will shiver your timbers as the park transforms into Pirates’ Candy Cove featuring dastardly bandits and ghostly pirates, Jack o’lanterns, cobwebs and ghostly music.

There’ll be a costume parade, you can hunt for sweets at the Trick or Treat Wharf and visitors can get themselves a black pearl at the park’s pearl diving experience. 6-10pm; Dh125. Call 02 496 8008.

Tub of Butter Make treats for your own Halloween events with kid-friendly cooking classes: Creepy cookies (October 27); pumpkin patch (October 28); cupcake baking (October 29); spooky spaghetti (October 30). On October 31 there’s a kids costume show. All Dh75 except for Oct 31 party, Dh125. Call 04 343 8884.

GET JAZZY

The Jazz Garden concert series is back! It’s now at the Habtoor Grand Resort in Dubai Marina. The seven-episode season kicks off today featuring performances by British saxophonist Albie Donnelly’s band Supercharge, award-winning American indie music artist Catie Waters and five-piece band Lady J & The Royal Vagabonds. The entire series is a free admission event with online registration per episode; register at jazzgardenseries. com. Doors open at 6:30pm and performances start at 7:30pm.

LEISURE CHARTS The Dubai Drama Group’s latest production, Educating Rita, will run at The Courtyard Playhouse Al Quoz on October 21, 24, 26, 27 and 28. Playwright Willy Russell’s 1980 play, about a 26-year-old hairdresser who tries to escape her working-class life by enrolling for a correspondence course in literature, was adapted into a film starring Michael Caine and Julie Walters in 1983. The play explores the relationship between Rita and Frank, a middle-aged failed poet-turned university lecturer and how they forge a relationship. The theatre doesn’t charge but welcomes donations; visit the courtyardplayhouse.com.

DRAMA TIME

W

ant to take on Crown Prince of Dubai Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Dubai Fitness Challenge and exercise for 30 minutes daily for the next 30 days – but don’t know where to start? For starters, head to dubaifitnesschallenge.com to unlock and discover all the free fitness events for the next 30 days (starting today) around Dubai after you register. Here are a few workouts and classes to get you into the groove of things: The Global Mala Yoga event at Safa Park on October 20 kicks off the Dubai Fitness Challenge.

Hosted by YogaFest Dubai, the two-hour yogathon will comprise 108 sun salutations of classical hatha yoga. Entry is free; 4-6pm.

Call 050 374 6207.

CycleBar Dubai are offering free classic indoor cycle sessions to Dubai Fitness Challengers on select days until November 18.

The 50-minute classes start at 8.30am daily, visit cyclebar.ae for schedule or call 04 395 5523.

The Golden Mile Galleria on Palm Jumeirah is hosting a Fitness Festival until November 11. You can enjoy free fitness activities including yoga, circuit training, drum workout, kickboxing, zumba, hip hop, high intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions and Latino dance classes.

Love to Instagram your workout?

Join Australian fitness personality Kayla Itsines as she leads HIIT sessions on November 3 at 5pm; the social media fitness star is known for her 28-minute Bikini Body Guide workouts; call 04 390 3333 to sign up.

SPORTS AGAINST CANCER

The Swing Against Cancer Charity Golf Series finale tees off on October 26 at Jumeirah Golf Estates. The event will see amateur and professional sportspeople from football, rugby, and golf battle it out to help raise funds for the Friends of Cancer Patients society that go directly towards the treatment of two UAE residents, Waleed, a 37-yearold man suffering from rectal cancer, and a two-year-old boy

suffering from leukaemia.

Ex-football player and manager Harry Redknapp, England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup winner Mike Tindall and ex-New Zealand golf pro and winner of the 2005 US Open Michael Campbell are some of the sportspeople participating in the event. Entertainment includes a celebrity Q&A and a memorabilia auction, followed by a gala dinner. From Dh395 per person; call 056 442 1067.

THEELEPHANTINTHETHEMEPARK

It’s a circus out there at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi this Diwali. The amusement park is hosting a nine-day circus-inspired Festival of Lights from October 20-28. An Indian circus act will perform various shows around the park that will all share a common theme – The Elephant’s Tale, a story about an elephant named Lali.

There’ll be dance shows featuring Kathakali, Kuchipudi, and the Mallakhamb Pole Act, performances by contortionists, diya-making workshops and a rangoli design area where guests can join in and complete an ongoing large-scale pattern. From 11am-8pm; visit ferrariworldabudhabi.com.

24

PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK WORDS BY SHREEJA RAVINDRANATHAN

GET YOUR SWEAT ON

IN THE UAE

STITCHED TOGETHER Lina Al Sharif, CENTRE, and her team of volunteers craft items to raise funds for womens’ cancer treatment

WORDS BY NATALIE LONG

I

n Lina Al Sharif’s dining room, there’s a form of group therapy going on. As her little boy runs around the table in her sunny house, a dozen women’s hands are busily hooking crochet teddy bears and stringing bracelets; the soundtrack is conversation about the one thing that unites them: Breast cancer.

Many of the women in the room are either going through treatment for breast cancer, or have completed it; others who seen the devastation the disease has brought to their friends, families or communities, have volunteered their time and skills.

Meet the Pink Ribbon Crafters.

After discovering that many women across the emirates were using their crafting skills to make objects that are sold to raise funds to pay for cancer treatment for those who cannot afford it, Lina, and her friend and fellow cancer patient, Elaine Callander, found a way to unite them – creating both an effective fundraising network for the Al Jalila Foundation and a band of breast cancer fighters.

Elaine, who now lives in Singapore, was selling candles to raise funds, but once she left, needed someone to continue the work. Lina had picked up her crochet hook while she was doing chemotherapy. ‘I thought, if I make things for fellow breast cancer patients, it will not really help. What will help is the money. I thought, let me try to sell them,’ continues Lina. A Facebook page she set up sold so much, it’s now an all-year initiative. ‘I helped Elaine in her candle initiative – she was doing it all online, I was doing things on the ground. Last year we made Dh91,000’, which helped 24 women.

‘We found out [the women in the group] are all doing initiatives, but separately, so why not do it all together? That’s how we all started. We are all donating to the same place. That’s how we created Pink Ribbon Crafters this year.’

The work of the Pink Ribbon Crafters raises funds for those affected by breast cancer – and creates a community of women sharing and supporting The patients and volunteers make and sell a range of items that are sold at public events during the month of October, as well as making items for corporate schemes; the funds are used by Al Jalila to help pay the medical bills of women whose insurance can’t cover the cost of their treatment. They aim to raise Dh100,000 this year.

Giving back is the main incentive: One Crafter, Hana Abu Lughog, was a beneficiary of Al Jalila funds when she lost her job whilst on chemo. ‘That’s why I’m helping, because I had their help. It’s not about if you are rich or not – [treatment is] very expensive.’

Mention the cost of treatment, and the crafting table bursts into conversation: It’s a common topic, and everyone knows someone that had to struggle. One session of chemotherapy, for example, can cost Dh35,000.

But it’s not only about money, says Lina.

‘I’m sure we can all donate this money directly from our salary, but it’s not about that.

It’s the fact that, for example, when Paula was on chemo, she was doing her crochet. The fact that

and I started making things. And I know how expensive chemo was. So I was trying to find a project where I could help others from my knitting and pass the time.’

At the other end of the table, Sharon Larkworthy chimes in, looking up with a smile as waterfalls of beads trickle off the table. ‘It’s therapeutic. It’s group therapy.’

Selling the items at fairs, markets and schools also spreads the message, especially when many of the Crafters are visibly dealing with cancer – and glad to speak to anyone who needs information.

A side effect of chemo is numbness in the fingers and toes, says Paula McClancy. ‘I find this actually helps to keep some feeling. You can’t pick things up, you can’t do certain things, and that’s a horrible feeling. I’m so used to being able to do things. This helps.’

The impact of a group of people knitting, making candles and bracelets can be huge, and goes far beyond the people sitting around that table. ‘You ask any of us,’ says Lina. ‘We feel more satisfied in doing this than anything else

‘People think that we’re giving [to] people, but we are getting [something] – the feeling that you are helping someone in need’ we get disconnected and do something that brings happiness for someone else is a whole reward for me personally and I am sure a lot of the women would agree.’

Alison Munro, who completed her chemotherapy earlier this summer, nods. ‘During chemo, I picked up my hook again.’ Crafting itself brings a benefit to the group.

‘Chemo would take four to five hours and I would get so bored,’ says Lina. ‘I would do everything, watch TV, call people, but I still wanted something to keep my mind disconnected. So I picked [crochet] up again

in life. It brings so much happiness. People think that we’re giving [to] people, but we are getting [something] – the feeling that you are doing something with your own hands and helping someone in need and creating a community.’

Find the Pink Ribbon Crafters at breast cancer awareness events around the UAE this month, including Ripe Market at Zabeel Park today and at Barsha Park tomorrow; Dubai Ladies Club today and tomorrow; and Pinktivity fitness day at Dubai International Marine Club today. Visit their Facebook page for more events and to connect with the group.

25

CANCER, A YEAR LATER We revisit the women who took part in Friday’s 2016 breast cancer makeover shoot to hear what happens after the month of pink is over. They spoke to Lindsay Judge

L

PHOTOS BY AIZA CASTILLO DOMINGO

ast October – as we have done several times over the years – Friday did a makeover and photo shoot with four UAE-based women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Each model-for-a-day had a very different story and experience of the illness, but they all shared a common link – they were surviving.

That day was a huge success and the feedback the women received for being on Friday’s cover was incredible.

Almost a year on, we heard the sad news that one of the women, Muskan Mittal, had died, aged just 34. When we met her last year, Muskan spoke of her journey of self-discovery and how she was hoping to travel, meet new people and spend time with her son once the recovery process was over.

With this devastating news, we at Friday felt that it would be fitting to bring the models back together in memory of Muskan, and to talk about her, and their continuing cancer journeys.

While October is all about raising awareness of the illness, and in so many ways it is done in a positive light, it is also important to remember the severity of breast cancer, which is the second leading cause of death among women in the UAE. Here, Nareena Mehra, Victoria Holland and Cindy Dubratz reunited to talk us through their journeys over the last year.

26

Nareena Mehra, Cindy Dubratz, Muskan Mittal and Victoria Holland featured on our cover last year

HEALTH

‘Life after cancer is real life’

N

areena Mehra, 38, was diagnosed with thirdstage aggressive cancer just after her 36th birthday. She had a double mastectomy, eight months of chemotherapy and six weeks’ radiotherapy. She went on to have a hysterectomy after testing positive for the cancer gene. When we met Nareena last year, she had finished her treatment six months before, and was considering nonsurgical breast reconstruction options which she hasn’t gone through with as yet, but plans to in the future.

‘The last year passed by really fast. My life is busy – I think stepping back into the real world, you realise how full-speed things go. Work has been very hectic. I’ve been crazy busy with my kids and doing things that I just couldn’t do when I was undergoing the treatment. I’m back to “normal life” and doing things that I used to take for granted. The year has been about navigating into being a bit of a different person.

Before cancer I was a mum on autopilot, not even thinking about what I was doing – just doing it. That just changed after cancer. In fact, everything has changed and I feel quite enlightened now. How I see myself has changed.

I actually love myself now and it’s such an amazing feeling.

I’ve been through something that makes you realise your own strength. I think if you love yourself, you are less angry about things and you become content.

I’m pretty healthy since last year – I’m even trying to be more vegetarian. I’ve tried to lose weight, because when you are on the cancer drugs and steroids you can put on a lot of weight. I think I’ve realised that it really comes down to balance – a little bit of everything in moderation is good.

I’m still going for check-ups at the hospital every three months, and so far, so good.

It sounds crazy but I think when you are going through cancer it’s actually a bit easier than life after cancer. Life after cancer is real life and you have to step back into real things. For everyone else, everything is the same, but for you, everything has changed. The purpose of everything is different for me now.

I lost three really close friends – Muskan included – to cancer this year, which has been really hard. All three happened very close together. Obviously, for me, I feel like I’ve passed that stage in my life, but when these three ladies passed, it made me realise that [cancer] can always come back and that is really scary.

The reason I wanted to do this [follow-up interview] was to honour my dear friends and to make sure people know the reality of what the illness can do. It’s really hard to carry on with your life when people are gone. My Pink Ladies friends and I are all just trying to be there for each other. It’s great that everyone has ‘pink October’ but this is serious and people die. The awareness is there, but I would love it if people took it a bit more seriously.

People say “you’re normal now”. Things are not normal, I don’t think they ever will be, but I want people to know what it’s like to go through the illness.’

How I see myself has really changed. I actually love myself now and it’s such an amazing feeling. I think if you love yourself, you are less angry about things and you become content 27

‘I think I’m probably stronger than I was before the cancer came.’

V

icki Holland, 41, first discovered she had cancer when she was 38. She had a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. Soon after her surgery, Vicki found that the cancer had returned in her ovaries and consequently had to have a hysterectomy. As a gym lover, Vicki had to re-train her body after surgery to do the things it could do before. When we met last year, Vicki told us how the Pink Ladies community was helping her get through her illness.

‘I think we all live in fear of the cancer returning, but I have been relatively healthy since this time last year. I’m still part of the Pink Ladies group and I’m always in touch with other women going through the disease at different stages of their journey.

I’ve been for a few tests in the last few months and am currently having tests for a lump in my neck – it’s probably nothing, but it’s something you have to do and something you have to worry about after having cancer. But the main thing is thinking about the great healthcare I have, and how lucky I really am to have that constant prodding.

Unfortunately, some of the Pink Ladies have died in the last year. There’s been about six or seven deaths, two of which have been my close friends. One of those was Muskan. She went very, very quickly and it was a huge shock. She ran the Dubai Marathon in January and it was shortly after that that she found out the cancer was back and was all through her body. By that point I think she felt there wasn’t much more she could do and she chose to try alternative therapies and live the rest of her life the best way she could.

Another lady and good friend of mine died around the same time. We had a memorial party for her, which was lovely but it does hit you really hard. Even though the doctors tell you you’re fine, you live with that fear of never knowing if it’s going to come back. You have that fear, but you have to get on with your life.

I’m still going to the gym around five times a week and I love it. I think I’m probably stronger than I was before the cancer came. This whole thing really makes you realise what’s important.

I now think about how I only have one body and one life and I think I need to make sure I treat it well. It makes you realise what’s important and how you should say no to the things you don’t want to do and get on with the important and brilliant things.’

Even though the doctors tell you you’re fine, you do live with that fear of never knowing if it’s going to come back.

You have that fear, but you have to get on with your life 28

HEALTH

‘I’m very lucky that my doctors are very vigilant.’

C

indy Dobratz, 40, was lucky in that her cancer was diagnosed early. When the doctors discovered her tumour, it was in stage one, the earliest stage of cancer. Despite this, Cindy had to undergo surgery followed by a course of radiation to destroy the cancer. When we met last year, Cindy spoke of how she was looking to the future, not worried and being positive about life after cancer.

‘Since our time together last year – aside from fending off the paparazzi after our cover shoot! – I have met my future husband and got engaged, which is very exciting and positive.

It really has been a great year for me.

On December 9, 2016, I ran the Dubai half-marathon. I actually realised that morning was exactly one year since my surgery. It was a really great feeling as I was walking out the door to run and I realised that a year earlier I was walking out the door for my surgery. It felt amazing to have all that behind me.

Health-wise I have generally been doing good. I did have a mild infection a couple of months ago, a result of having some of my lymph nodes removed – my immunity isn’t what it used to be. It was very minor – I had to stay off work for a few days while my body repaired itself – but it was quite disheartening. I thought I was done with cancer but it was a haunting reminder.

A lot of people get haunted by cancer and they are always afraid it’s going to come back and I’m probably the complete opposite of that. I’m like “OK I’m done with that, it’s not going to happen again.” So I think I’m very lucky that my doctors are very vigilant. I’ve had multiple check-ups since last October.

There have been a few red flags; I’ve had two biopsies in the last year, but they have all come back [clear]. It’s great that they [the doctors] are super-cautious; I would much rather that than realise something got missed.

In general, it’s all been very positive and I’m looking forward.

Hopefully in the next year I’ll be getting married!’

FRIDAY PAYS TRIBUTE TO MUSKAN MITTAL

M

uskan Mittal was perfect. ‘She was full of life, intelligent, knew how to carry herself, fashionable, she knew about cultures... everything was perfect. Very rarely did you get it all in one,’ says Nischay Kaul, who was married to Muskan for nine years and had known her for 13, thanks to mutual friends in their hometown of Mumbai.

They came to the UAE because she wanted a change; here, she excelled in her work and they raised a son, Aryaveer, who turned four last month. Muskan was one of four women who appeared in a makeover feature for breast cancer sufferers in Friday, in

October 2016. She died, five days shy of her 36th birthday, in July this year.

‘She was very intelligent. At work, everything would be done perfectly, and it would be done right away,’ Nischay says. ‘She was always about now, not waiting to do something later. She’d say, “let’s finish it and live life and do something else”’.

‘After she passed, I always talk about how she did so much in her life. Yes, she was young, but some people take a lifetime to do what she did.’

Their son has lots of memories of his mum. ‘His intelligence comes from his mother,’ says Nischay, who worked in publishing in the UAE and now lives in India.

‘He tells me, “she is with God, but she is also in my heart, I talk to her every day. Do you want her to come in your dreams?”’

As he deals with the devastating aftermath of losing his wife, Nischay asks those who have been diagnosed to have no fear.

‘Don’t be scared. Look at healing as an overall body process – from what you are eating to your emotions to the chemicals you are using in your home. All of this helped my wife. And, remember, life is short – plan for the future, but remember to live for today.

I think a lot of people worry about the future, and that ruins today.

‘I would like people to live life today as if it’s their last day. That’s what Muskan did.’

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PEOPLE OF THE EMIRATES

I

Nikhil at Dubai’s Monkey Rock recording studios in Satwa

t was in the summer of 2003 that Nikhil Uzgare came to Dubai on a holiday. A true-blue Bombayite (Uzgare doesn’t use the word Mumbaikar; he conforms to the old-world charm of the city he was born in), he had already made a name for himself in Mumbai’s live music scene as the founder of one of the best alternative rock bands in the country, Split, and didn’t have plans to stay on for long without his friends and family. But then destiny had something else in store, and Uzgare ended up with a job in Dubai’s Media City. He missed home, but more importantly, he missed his kind of music.

‘My first impression of Dubai was all about the money. I missed the feeling of warmth that was there back home. I had a pretty content life, growing up on a regular dose of Harry Belafonte, Nana Mouskouri, Nat King Cole, Abba and Jim Reeves from a very early age. I learnt the tabla for six years, but it was the guitar that inspired me since college. In Mumbai, my favourite haunt was the Raspberry Rhinoceros in Juhu. It was a place where all the underground guys came to perform. So, quite naturally, in Dubai, I wanted to find a place like that where all the gigs were happening, a place I could relate to, something that would be my world,’ says Uzgare.

The music scene in Dubai at that time was fragmented and

lacked the originality that Uzgare craved. He soon discovered that if you wanted good music in Dubai, all you needed to do was go to a hotel. Most musicians and their bands were contracted by the hotels to play covers. ‘But soon I learnt from friends that there was this alternative space at the American University Dubai that organised gigs. The performers at The Assembly at AUD were mostly college kids who were heavily into punk rock, metal and alternative rock, pretty aggressive stuff that most teenagers are prone to like.’

One thing led to another and very soon Uzgare was meeting like-minded musicians. ‘I met Michael Fellon and Adham Ghanem who were behind Turbulence, the music festival held at Media City in 2003. I was also introduced to Indian musician Aldo Rock in Dubai. He performed in hotels and had a classic rock set up. We played at Harry’s Place at the Renaissance Hotel next to the Muraqabat Police Station and it was here that I met Kiran Tauro, who later joined me as my drummer,’ says Uzgare.

Kiran and Uzgare, both passionate about doing originals, rather than covers, finally got together and started the band Point of View in 2004. ‘That was an exciting time when friends came and joined us and we played with a lot of different people. ‘Kiran and I were from Mumbai and there was Murtaza Jafar, a banker from Karachi on guitar and our first gigs were at The Assembly at the AUD. The scene was very much underground and our listeners were mostly underage children,’ says Uzgare.

With time Uzgare settled in Dubai and began to appreciate the positives of the city. ‘The infrastructure was great, I didn’t have to struggle to get to work, and didn’t have to pay bribes.

I chose my friends well and people I needed to associate with and finally decided to quit my job and venture out independently as an entrepreneur with my own events and exhibitions company.’

But Uzgare was growing tired of the do-it-yourself gigs at the AUD. ‘We were madly scouting for venues that had a proper audience. Then suddenly one evening I got a call from the guy who owned Touch [originally Copas] at the Four Points by Sheraton on Bank Street. He was not ready to give me a weekend, so I finally agreed to play on a Saturday night,’ said Uzgare.

When he went to check out the venue on a Saturday night, all he saw was seven waiters and no audience. ‘But then I thought to myself that people who like live music will be by default a very loyal audience. And since live venues in Dubai in those days were so limited, I knew that if we gave them a great night of music even on a Monday, they would still come. So, I decided to tap the loyalists.’

Uzgare started approaching sponsors who would support the Saturday night gig and eventually turned it into a night when several local bands, playing good music in Dubai, came on board. ‘There were bands such as Nerve

BUILDING DUBAI’S ROCK SCENE

When Nikhil Uzgare arrived in 2003, he missed his hometown’s live music – so set about helping Dubai get a new soundtrack, writes Esha Nag PHOTOS BY ANAS THACHARPADIKKAL 31

PEOPLE OF THE EMIRATES Cell, Juliana Down, Moonshine, Borrison Ivy, Ground Zero, Sandwash, as well as musicians like Gayatri Krishnamurthy who agreed to perform at Touch. So, finally, from playing in someone’s basement or garage, we found a space to perform and Yamaha came on to support us and gave us the drum kits and the backlight for free.’

S

aturday Nights at Touch soon made a name as the go-to venue for metal and rock nights in Dubai and inspired Uzgare to launch his brand, Rock Nation, in 2007, to promote local talent, create gigs, attract sponsors and bring events related to music under one roof.

In 2008, Uzgare moved out of Touch to perform at The Music Room at The Majestic, which closed last month, although there are plans to reopen the concept at a new location. ‘It was a great venue, but it had its negatives. The crowd was bad, and there was no sound engineering. I went to the owner and told him to give me one night where we only invite people seriously interested in music.’ With the management agreeing to give him a chance, there was then no looking back. Uzgare created a Tribute Night and packed up the evening when from 9pm to 3am several bands, including Point of View, played at The Music Room that eventually became the best live venue in town.’

The next few years saw Point of View perform around the city, at venues such as Wafi Roof Top and Irish Village.

The group sealed their way to local stardom by winning local awards, including one for their 2013 concert with Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal, who at the time, was playing with Guns’N Roses. Uzgare talks of his association with Thal fondly. ‘We had gone to see the Guns’N Roses concert in Abu Dhabi in 2011. There was no Axl Rose and no Slash, but all through the concert and even afterwards we were talking about this phenomenal guitar player who kept us mesmerised all through.

The next day I dropped Thal a message on his Facebook page and to my surprise he got back and we kept in touch thereafter.’ That connection led to one of the biggest moment’s in the band’s musical journey so far: Thal joining them for

ABOVE Point of View performing with Ron Bumblefoot Thal and BELOW opening for Guns’N Roses.

BOTTOM At The Music Room which closed last month

A major event in Uzgare’s music career was opening for Guns’N Roses’ reunion show in Dubai on March 3. ‘Axl Rose and Slash came together after 30 years and we were handpicked to open the act.’ their album launch gig at the Hard Rock Café (Revolutionize the Revolutionary) in 2012 – he then toured with the band to five cities in India in June 2013 (Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata). ‘It couldn’t have gotten bigger than this for a local band like ours playing with a celebrity of the stature of Bumblefoot.’ Point of View’s current line-up features Kiran Tauro on drums, Uzgare on lead vocals, Arsh Sharma and Royden Mascarenhas on guitars and Anshuman Bhattacharya on bass.

Back in Dubai, however, Uzgare admits that there’s still a lot to be done. ‘There are challenges for local bands like us. The government permissions are very stringent and expensive, so bands don’t have the motivation to set up gigs. Art and licensing do not go together. If Dubai is to become the entertainment hub in the region, then there is a need to do away with these permissions,’ he says.

Uzgare talks about the need to support local bands. ‘There is also no honest review in the music industry and that makes musicians very complacent.’ Uzgare also believes that music needs to be outside the rigid confines of bricks and mortar, out on the streets, reaching out to people.

The other major event in Uzgare’s music career was 32

opening for Guns’N Roses’ reunion show in Dubai on March 3 this year. ‘The Not In This Lifetime tour of 2017 was a huge event. Axl Rose and Slash came together after 30 years and we were handpicked to open the act. This has been a huge milestone in our career.’

Uzgare’s favourite music spots in the city include the Music Room, Hard Rock Café, and the Mariner’s Bar at the Sea View Hotel – and maybe Blue’s Bar at the Radisson at World Trade Centre ‘when he’s in the mood for jazz.’ And what kind of music sustains him? ‘The harder the better,’ he confesses. What started as a great year for Uzgare has continued with him singing in Hindi on the title track of the Bollywood thriller Irada.

And then there has been his surprise acoustic reinterpretation of the Indian Independence Day classic, Vande Mataram, blessed by the legendary AR Rahman.

When Uzgare came to Dubai, there was local talent making music that mostly went unheard, while events such as the annual Dubai Desert Rock Festival had the biggest musicians in the world. The disconnect was huge, but Uzgare not only took it as a challenge to make his band be heard, but has also lend his support to others like him in the emirate. ‘People need to support the local talent. We need to be there for each other.’

MY WORKING LIFE

THE WEATHER FORECASTER

A

hmad Al Kamali, 23, a weather forecaster at the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology in Abu Dhabi, on his passion for physics and chemistry, the importance of fog and his rainy-day plans.

Ahmad, what got you interested in weather and weather forecasting?

I was always passionate about the sciences – physics and chemistry, particularly – and maths while in school in Dubai. So when I was sponsored by the National Centre of Meteorology & Seismology (NCMS) to go to University of Reading in the UK [named second in the world for research in meteorology and atmospheric sciences] to study meteorology, I was elated. It was an uncommon subject and it piqued my interest. And once I started learning it, I became fascinated by the weather and weather patterns.

Growing up, were you ever scared of lightning, thunder, rain?

Oh no, in fact I used to look forward to the few spells of rain we used to get here in the UAE. Those were moments I used to rush out to get soaked in the rain.

Ahmad finds his job exciting, fun and challenging. ‘You are never bored for even a minute,’ he says

That done, we put together a weather bulletin and update relevant government and public entities of prevailing weather conditions. An important job is to keep the media and the various government departments up-to-date on weather conditions. At all times we constantly monitor weather changes, patterns and developments of weather phenomena.

What are the things you need to keep your eyes peeled for?

Rainfall and fog, the latter particularly during the

PHOTO BY ANAS THACHARAPADIKKAL WORDS BY ANAND RAJ OK

Once we put out a bulletin about the likelihood of rain in a particular area, you see a lot of people heading there to experience it

What’s your working day like?

We have two shifts here – the first from 7.30am to 7.30pm and the second from 7.30pm to 7.30am. After a day shift and a night shift, you get three days off, although some days we might be asked to be on stand-by in case a forecaster is unable to come into the office.

If I’m on the day shift, I’m usually in office by around 7.15am.

What’s the first thing you do when you start work?

We meet with forecasters from the previous shift and get a detailed brief from them about the major weather phenomena that occurred during their shift. Most importantly, we ask if any weather warnings were issued, if the warning time period needs to be extended, whether any particular weather phenomenon needs monitoring or updating and so on. The briefing may be for around 15 to 20 minutes.

evenings and nights. If it is a really humid night, we monitor satellite data frequently to check if fog is developing in any part of the UAE. We must be able to pinpoint where exactly the fog is occurring so we can warn people and related departments to be aware of this phenomenon.

What do you like best about your job?

The fact that this is not like a regular desk job where you are signing papers or doing mundane clerical tasks. Here, every day is a different one. Sometimes every hour can be different with new challenges or new developments occurring, forcing you to multitask. For instance, you might need to monitor a situation closely whilst speaking to the media, updating weather bulletins and creating a weather chart, sometimes all at the same time.

All this makes my job very exciting, fun and challenging. You are never bored for even a minute.

What are the biggest challenges in forecasting?

A lot of people think weather forecasting in the UAE is easy. But in reality it’s not. Fog is one of the most common but difficult weather phenomena to predict, particularly as to where exactly it will form.

What kind of weather do you prefer – rain or sun?

Rain, of course. I think all of us here in the UAE like rain, don’t we? Although I did spend a lot of time in the UK where it rains frequently, I still enjoy experiencing a nice heavy shower. I guess it’s because it doesn’t rain a lot here and when it does it’s really lovely.

If you see a nice rain cloud in the satellite pictures in Al Ain, for instance, do you feel like heading off there as soon as you finish work?

There’ve been occasions when I’ve considered doing that. But once we put out a bulletin to the public about the likelihood of rain in a particular area, you often see a lot of people heading there to experience it. And I don’t like to get caught in a traffic jam so I avoid going to rain spots now.

Do your friends call you to find out what the weather is going to be like over the weekend, for instance?

Yes, they do that often. They keep asking me to inform them in advance when and where it might rain so they can try to be there.

How do you spend the three off days you get?

I love movies so I try to catch at least one movie a week with friends. I also love swimming and head off to the beach – if I know the weather is going to be good.

35

I

n the quiet, sandy arena, Tariq Al Muhairi stands a little away from a horse, watching it silently and intently. His eyes narrow in concentration and he appears to be thinking deeply. Seconds later, the horse comes trotting and stands next to him.

Tariq pats her neck gently and whispers a few words in Arabic. The horse pauses for a moment as if registering his words before lying down in the sand.

There is no whip, no hitting, no shouting, no actions to make the horse fearful. Not even treats are offered as rewards. It is just mutual respect and understanding between man and horse at what Tariq would describe as ‘the spiritual level’.

Soft-spoken, weighing his words, proud of his roots, Tariq is a portrait of the 21st century Bedouin. He may have won several honours in horse racing, jumping and endurance competitions at home and abroad, but what he is better known for is being the Emirati ‘horse whisperer’.

Tariq has some two dozen cups and trophies that he bagged from the UAE, UK, Germany and Italy for his horseriding skills now displayed in his majlis.

Just outside the glass wall of the majlis, a few horses are

walking by. It is late afternoon, time for a little strolling exercise.

‘I live here now,’ says Tariq. ‘I moved here from Abu Dhabi in late 2012 to be closer to my horses.’

‘Here’ is Yah Stables, which Tariq built on a piece of farmland his father gave him in Al Ajban, Abu Dhabi. There is a small house for his use, and a majlis to receive guests or for him to do his office work. Although he lives here by himself, Tariq is rarely alone; family and friends visit him daily. During cooler winter months, they often get a fire going, bring out the oud and spend the night under the stars with music, chatter and lots of karak tea. Two caretakers groom and feed the stables’ 20 horses, and prepare them for riding sessions.

Next to the house’s grass-and-palm tree garden is the arena where Tariq trains horses using natural horsemanship methods – based on developing a relationship with horses, gaining their trust and cooperation, and rejecting any abusive training techniques – that he picked up over the years.

Natural horsemanship or horse whispering techniques, based on the principle of developing a personal rapport with the horse, became popular in the 1980s, although they have been known for a lot longer. The first documentation about it comes from Xenophon’s treaty On Horsemanship, written around 430-354 BC. The ‘traditional’ methods of dressage employing force are said to give much faster results – at odds with ‘naturalists’.

The former, however, accuse the latter of being commercially focused, even romanticising themselves by using terms such as ‘horse whisperer’, which is some circles is now considered derogatory. The term dates from the 19th century, when Daniel ‘Horse-Whisperer’ Sullivan, an Irish horseman, became famous for rehabilitating horses suffering from abuse and accidental trauma. The term became globally recognised in the 1990s thanks to Nicholas Evans’ book The Horse Whisperer and the 1998 Robert Redford movie of the same name.

Like the so-called naturalists from the west, Tariq has a deep, passionate love for horses. People with problem horses arrive at Yah Stables seeking his advice and help. Movie productions needing horse stunts reach out to him. French researchers approach him to conduct experiments on the emotional communication between man and horse.

HORSE

POWER

Equestrian champion Tariq Al Muhairi has had a unique bond with his animals since he was a child – earning him the title of the UAE’s ‘horse whisperer’. Silvia Radan meets him PHOTOS BY STEFAN LINDEQUE 36

IN THE UAE

Tariq trains horses with what’s known as ‘natural horsemanship’ techniques

But Yah Stables is only the latest chapter in Tariq’s equestrian adventure that started when he was just a boy.

Starting to ride in 1986, aged 12, by the time Tariq took a break from riding in 2000, he had fulfilled all his equestrian dreams.

‘My dream was to hear people say ‘Tariq, the rider’, and I did,’ he says. ‘Then I dreamt of hearing people call me ‘Coach Tariq’, and they did.’

By the mid-1990s, he began to be recognised for not just his riding skills but also his talent for training horses.

‘My first teacher was a mare’

‘My uncle, Mubarak Hoshaima Al Moreihi, was a rider, but his kids don’t ride, so he sent his two horses to my father, in Abu Dhabi. One of them was a mare, Sheema. I quickly fell in love with horses and my brother, Eissa Al Muhairi, who enjoyed riding, and my father taught me to care for horses, what and when to feed them, how to walk and wash them...’

It was Tariq’s job to walk the horses every day on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi. One day, however, feeling tired after walking the animals for over four kilometres, Tariq climbed on one, laying on its back and resting. ‘It was my first time on a horse,’ he says. ‘When I told her to stop, she stopped. When I

told her to move, she moved. I did this several times, until one day I found myself riding the horse. I was riding it without a bridle, without a saddle...’

Pleasantly surprised, he began ‘talking’ to the horse, observing her, giving simple commands and riding her daily at full gallop.

For a while, nobody knew about it until one day, his brother Eissa spotted him on a horse. ‘He asked me how I could ride a horse without a saddle and to prove to him that I could ride well, asked me to make a circle around him. I did and he was impressed. ‘That’s good,’ he said.’

The next day Eissa took Tariq to an equestrian club in Abu Dhabi. Here he continued practicing his Bedouin-style (sans saddle) riding, until one day he and a few other students were invited to join the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.

A few months later some of the club’s students were selected to participate in a horse riding competition in London.

Although it was Tariq’s first time abroad and first competition, he won first place. A year later, in 1989, the story repeated itself in Germany.

‘Meanwhile, Sheema one day fell ill with colic. Since there were no vets available at the time, we – my father, brothers 37

IN THE UAE and some friends – all tried to help her.’ But it was of no use. A distraught Tariq stayed with her all night, even taking her into his room to try to make her as comfortable as he could.

‘She lay down, resting her head on my knees while I comforted her. Then at seven in the morning, she looked at me one last time and passed away,’ he says. ‘I felt really sad because she was the one who trained me, but I promised myself I will be someone in the equestrian world. And I’ve never forgotten her. To those who ask me who my trainer was, I say it’s Sheema. She taught me to ride, to approach horses, to communicate with them. I learnt horsemanship from her.’

Unlike many professional riders, Tariq never took riding or training classes. It was Sheema who showed him the ropes, he says. In his early days of working with the family horses, Tariq used to wake up at 5am, feed the horses, go to school, return home at lunch time, feed the horses again and later prepare their evening meal.

Tariq’s passion for horses is as strong today as it was back when he met Sheema. When he joined the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, he learnt what he calls ‘riding tricks’ from the club’s trainers, such as how to sit on the horse when jumping over an obstacle and how to ride in competitions. But they didn’t teach him how to communicate with horses. ‘That came from within me, from my passion and love for horses,’ he says.

His ability to use his inner energy and his emotions to connect with horses and get them to do what he wants has led to ever more clients requesting help to train their horses.

Initially, Tariq’s training methods were unheard of in Abu Dhabi. Hitting a horse in training often gives quicker results.

20 horses reside at Yah Stables in Abu Dhabi, built on farmland given to Tariq by his father

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Natural horsemanship professionals – a major movement in the equestrian world – claim that taking time to understand the horse, showing compassion and creating an emotional bond are better ways to getting a horse do what you want it to.

‘Horses, like human beings, may also have psychological problems. If they were treated badly, beaten or caged for a long time, they would be afraid or dislike people, so they won’t allow anyone to train or even ride them,’ says Tariq.

‘If the horse is broken psychologically, people send it to me. I can feel the horse and the horse can feel me,’ he says.

The break-up

During the early noughties, Tariq was a regular performer in traditional Emirati folk groups. He also had a day job in the UAE Army and was married with four young children. He started writing his autobiography that he has just completed.

‘I was busy all day. Then one day my now ex–wife asked me to stop [horse riding] and spend more time with the family, so I stopped everything,’ he says. Selling his horses and turning his back on the equestrian world was the hardest thing he ever did and even talking about it makes him well up. ‘For seven years I just went to work and returned home to the family,’ he says.

Then around 2007, his wife showed Tariq a newspaper clipping of her brother, who had won a horse jumping competition. Talk turned to championships but the conversation ended with a rather hurtful joke. ‘‘‘You are not talented”, she joked, but I took it seriously,’ says Tariq.

He went to the Al Ain Equestrian Club and requested a trainer there to loan him a horse for a week so he could hone his riding skills again and participate in a competition. Three days later Tariq won a local riding contest.

‘I returned home straight from the course - with my boots on, the riding dress, dust in my face, the horse smell on my clothes and my mum saw me [and] started crying. ‘‘Oh, this is my Tariq. This is how we know you!” she said.’

There was no turning back after that point.

Following his divorce, in 2007, Tariq returned to his passion and began working with horses, first at the Al Ain club, and then in Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba club. While he did compete occasionally, this second chapter in his career was dedicated to horse training and horse shows. He’s done over 25 shows for UAE National Day and for other events and festivals, he says.

In 2012, the Equestrian Association of Sicily invited Tariq to give a talk on – and demonstrate the art of – horse

IN THE UAE whispering during their annual equestrian championship.

As a challenge they asked him to pick a horse from a herd of six and train her for an arena show in just one hour.

‘I knew it was tough and prayed a lot, then chose a horse named Fatima. The first thing I did was to ride her without a saddle, without bridles, nothing. They were shocked because many trainers had tried and had failed. The reason I could was because I didn’t push the horse; I didn’t use a whip or any force.

I just let her come to me. I let her play freely in the arena for a while, watching her, then she stopped and came to me by herself,’ says Tariq. ‘It was about using natural horsemanship methods.’

Body language is paramount, he says; a horse is able to feel a rider’s confidence and act accordingly. If the rider fears his horse will fail a certain challenge, the horse will fail. Natural horsemanship trainers work by distracting the horse’s mind from the problem and treating it with love and gentleness.

That’s what worked well with Fatima, says Tariq.

Back home, a bigger surprise was awaiting him. His father had decided to give him part of his farmland, in Ajban, to build his own stables. With help from his father and brothers, Tariq opened Yah Stables before the end of the year. Here, he trains children, professional riders and other trainers. ‘People come from Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, from Belgium even. I train all kind of horses. If the horse has behavioural problems, I fix it.

Sometimes a horse requires just a few days to come around and allow people to ride it, other horses may need weeks.’

Tariq’s training techniques eventually led to an unusual scientific experience. Three years ago, researchers from a

Tariq, who started riding horses Tariq around 20 horses inhorse agedhas 12, is planning to ride a his YahAbu Stables into Abu Dhabi from Dhabi Mecca

More recently, Tariq began participating in film productions with his horses, including in Tiger Zinda Hai, the Bollywood sequel starring Salman Khan that filmed in Abu Dhabi this summer French university came to his stables to study the emotional involvement between man and horse and how the two use feelings, or the energy field, to communicate to each other.

‘They attached some sensors on my head and a few on my horse’s head,’ says Tariq. He was then asked to demonstrate natural horsemanship. Keeping his back to the horse, Tariq thought deeply about his horse and seconds later, the horse walked up to him. ‘The researchers said the computer recorded some strong signals indicating powerful feelings,’ he says. They did several other similar experiments. ‘I’m awaiting the detailed results of the experiments,’ he says.

His dream ride

More recently, Tariq began participating in film productions with his horses, including in Tiger Zinda Hai, the Bollywood sequel starring Salman Khan that was filmed in Abu Dhabi this summer. The film shoot required four horses, which came from Yah Stables.

Tariq is now working on a project called ‘The Knight Travelling to Mecca’. ‘It’s a film I want to do based on me travelling to Mecca. I’ve already made a plan. I want to ride a horse from Abu Dhabi to Mecca, around 2,000 kilometres.

It would take two months. Just my horse and me. For sure, I would have my filming crew with supplies, but I would not use any vehicle; only walking and riding,’ says Tariq.

He is awaiting an official approval of patronage. This film would be an umrah gift for the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. ‘He gave us everything we needed, so I want to give something back for him,’ says Tariq.

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FASHION

THE DETAILS

Here’re two great labels to look out for at the exhibition on October 27-28 at Vesimi.

Luxury womenswear brand Sameer Madan (above) re-interprets textiles according to modern needs.

The Indian label creates modern silhouettes to cater to customers on an international level.

Rixi Bhatia, co-founder of Attic and Quirk Box, is now introducing Half Full, a brand aimed at plus-sized women who are underrepresented in high-street fashion. Prices start from Dh500.

Sabyasachisarifabricontrainers?Welove!

Christian Louboutin’s ongoing love affair with the work of every Indian bride’s dream designer, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, means we’ve now got a collaboration we can all shop! The range is made with sari materials from the Kolkata-based designer’s atelier. It’s exciting news for UAE shoppers as the range – mini bags, men’s and women’s shoes – is at Level at The Dubai Mall. Trainers, Dh6,900.

Anushka Sharma launches a clothing range for girls on the go

Actress and producer Anushka Sharma joined the designer club earlier this month with her brand called Nush (we see what she did there!). The brand channels fuss-free and feel-good style, with happy prints, vibrant colours and low-maintenance casuals, keeping the comfort level in mind. Expect distressed denim, cozy bombers and boho blouses among the debut collection of 160 pieces. It’s sold at Shoppers Stop outlets in India as well as on nush.in and myntra.com; prices range from Rs699-3,300 (Dh40-185).

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What inspires your latest collection?

It’s rooted in 19th century British lace artwork. We love the dainty embroidery, subtle tonal textures and soft pastel palette.

We reinvented these with our unique handmade embroidery.

How would you define your signature design sensibility?

Our brand is known for its unique capes and jackets, which are really versatile and can be styled in many different ways. We embellish our clothes with rich colours, engineered prints and the most unique forms of craft and embroidery. They make a statement without making a noise. The Pankaj & Nidhi woman is someone who values craft and loves all things handmade.

Which piece is close to your heart?

There is very interesting piece in our line – a long tailcoat-jacket with our beautiful tonal embroidery (below). It’s such a statement piece because of the dramatic silhouette.

Worn with ankle-length pants, it’s perfect.

What about seasonal must-haves?

Our unique ensembles and kalidars in our handmade and hand-cut appliqués in the most sophisticated colours.

What is your design aesthetic?

It can be summed up in three Cs: Craft, colours and ‘contemporisation’.

What are your upcoming projects?

We just finished a great event at The Rack by Kachins, for which we designed an exclusive range –it was amazing to see how the Dubai market responded to our line. Women were thrilled to experiment with new shapes and cuts, and appreciated our textures and workmanship. We recently opened our flagship store in Emporio Mall in New Delhi – a fabulous location. We are really excited with this milestone.

FOR UAE FASHION EVERY DAY

fridaymagazine.ae

PHOTOS BY GETTY

Pop up by Modista launches two designers in Dubai

ADITI ROY HYDARI IN BASIL SODA

of the best looks at the Vogue India Women of the Year Awards

PADMA LAXMI IN J. MENDEL

3

Friday caught up with one of India’s most successful designer duos in Dubai recently.

KRITI SANON IN SHIVAN NARRESH

In a monthly column, stylist Amrita Divecha fills you in on the latest in desi fashion news

FIVEMINUTESWITH...

PANKAJ&NIDHI

Top Dh199, H&M Trousers Dh199, Topshop

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FASHION Dress Dh3,705, Missoni Boots Dh399, Topshop

It’s ’80s-inspired, with a futuristic – and spooky – twist, just like our favourite designs.

As Stranger Things returns to TV screens next week, it’s time to channel your inner Eleven PHOTOS BY STEFAN LINDEQUE STYLING BY LINDSAY JUDGE ART DIRECTION BY VERINA DURAND

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FASHION Jumper Dh3,065, Missoni Necklace Dh79, H&M

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Dress Dh1300, BCBG Max Azria Belt Dh150, Topshop Boots Dh549, Aldo

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FASHION

Top Dh1,150, Sara Battaglia at Boutique 1 Skirt Dh299, River Island Shoes Dh349, Aldo

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Dress Dh99, H&M Shoes Dh349, Aldo

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T-shirt Dh799, Pinko Trousers Dh179, H&M Boots Dh549, Aldo

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FASHION Jacket Dh449, Topshop Top with choker Dh99, H&M Trousers Dh349, Topshop

Season 2 of Stranger Things is available on Netflix from October 27.

Hair and make-up Ania at MMG Artists Model Romaine at MMG Models Shot at Stereo Arcade, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Dubai - Jumeirah Beach.

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Face up to

FITNESS SKINCARE

By incorporating products and habits into your regime before and after you exercise, your beautifying arsenal will end up working out as hard as you do, says Sarah-Jane Corfield-Smith

W

e’re not ones for focusing on what we look like when we exercise. Of course, a great workout outfit is more motivating and an incentive for logging out of Netflix and getting off the sofa, but what’s more important is that we actually drag ourselves to our class – less how we look whilst there. However, that doesn’t mean to say that you can’t, and shouldn’t, be mindful of what’s on your skin when you’re breaking into a sweat.

There are even products that can help you avoid the specific pitfalls that come with certain types of exercise – troubleshooting the side effects of exercise, if you will. So load up your gym bag with these wonders, exercise and be safe in the knowledge that your skin is getting as much out of your workout as the rest of your body is.

Runners: SPF and collagen

The concerns: Whether you’re pounding the treadmill or heading for an al fresco jog, running can cause a few problems for your face. Firstly, there is the impact of all that impact. According to plastic surgeon Dr Gerald Imber, running is one of the worst culprits for sagging and inducing wrinkles. He believes that the constant pounding, and the reverberations throughout your body, cause the facial skin to pull away from the underlying muscles. ‘Runners of normal weight have haggard, sunken faces due primarily to a loss of subcutaneous fat.’

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He continues. ‘If you watch a runner in slowmotion, you see that their cheeks and jowls bounce around. This constant bouncing causes a gradual destruction of the elastic tissue that keep faces firm.’ There is also the issue of UV damage, the primary cause of ageing, which is especially relevant for outdoor runners.

What you need: Thankfully there is no need to hang up your trainers. Instead, use a doublepronged approach to fight back against any sagging. Firstly, your best weapon of defence is good facial massage. It’s something we should all be doing to encourage blood flow and lymphatic drainage around the face, but it is even more important for runners. Doing this when you’re applying your cleanser or a facial oil is great, because the slightly slippery consistency makes it easier for your hands to work around your face. As we’re trying to counter-balance the downwards effect that running has, everything needs to be done in an upwards motion. Using your knuckles start by kneading the skin from your jawline up towards your cheekbones. (It can feel a bit painful!)

Next, using the pads of your thumb and index finger, pinch the skin along the jawline and then finish by using the sides of both of your index fingers and doing circles around your eyes, starting at the bridge of your nose, going along your eyebrows and around the socket bone. Investing in a great anti-ageing cream, packed with ingredients that will boost collagen production – the building blocks your skin needs

to stay firm – is essential. And finally, you need a sweat-resistant SPF so you know you won’t end up with a sweaty sunblock goo running into your eyes, which can sting!

YOUR KIT Caudalie Divine Oil Dh45

Lancôme Genifique Youth Activating Cream Dh460

Shiseido Expert Sun Ageing Protection Lotion SPF 50+ Dh213

BEAUTY

Yoga: Zap the sweat zits

The concerns: You might think there wouldn’t be much that yoga could do wrong to your skin. And in a way you’d be right, because there are actually lots of complexion benefits when learning to perfect your downward dog. The main one being that yoga increases your blood circulation. ‘When the skin gets warm, the capillaries and vessels dilate, causing nutrient-rich blood and oxygen to be brought to the cells,’ says celebrity aesthetician Renée Rouleau.

For that reason if you put a power-house of a product on your skin before your class it will be absorbed faster and more efficiently then when you’re not yogaing. However, that extra body heat, or if

you’re a Bikram yoga fan, excessive heat, can increase sebum production and for that reason you may find that your yoga session brings out your spots.

What you need: Firstly, make sure you are starting your class with properly cleansed skin, minimising the amount of dirt that can sink in. Next, cocktail together a pump of a blemish-fighting serum with an antioxidant serum. That way you’re getting the best of both worlds; preventing breakouts and feeding your skin with lots of nourishment. If your skin feels warm after the class then keep a cooling facial mist in your bag to instantly get rid of redness and drench your skin in hydration.

YOUR KIT

Sisley Paris Global Perfect Pore Minimizer Concentrate Dh655

Elizabeth Arden Superstart Skin RenewalBoosterDh219 Aurelia Skincare Brightening Botanical Essence Dh204 53

BEAUTY The concerns: It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realise that exposing your skin to chlorine or salt water on a regular basis will leave your complexion looking and feeling dry. Why? Chlorine has very strong antibacterial properties, designed to keep pool water clean. That is no bad thing, but unfortunately, at the same time, it strips the skin of its natural oils, which act like a protective barrier, keeping the skin underneath hydrated and plump. Then of course there’s what it does to your locks. ‘Chlorine and salt water are a dehydrating nightmare for your hair,’ says celebrity hair stylist and educator, Zoe Irwin. ‘Just as with skin, they strip the hair of all the things that are desperately trying to keep it hydrated and shiny.’ However, there are simple steps you can take to stave off the moisturesucking abilities of the pool or the sea so you can get your laps done and feel, quite frankly, smug afterwards.

What you need: Let’s start with your skin.

‘Make sure you take off all your make-up before getting in the water, then apply a layer of facial oil all over, remembering to take it down your neck and onto your chest,’ says Tom Ogden, international training manager for skincare brand Alpha-H. ‘The oil will strengthen your skin’s barrier, preventing chlorine or salt getting through, whilst also giving it an extra dose of moisture, which we all need.’ Tom then advises to rinse your face and body with fresh water as soon as you leave the pool or sea to get any chlorine or salt residue off. ‘When you get in the shower, use an ultra nourishing and hydrating cleanser and follow with a really hydrating

HIIT: Detox deeply

moisturiser that contains an SPF.’ Next your hair. ‘As soon as you get out of the sea or the pool get under a shower and thoroughly rinse your hair,’ advises Zoe. ‘Clean it with a detoxifying shampoo to get rid of any leftover salt or chlorine that may be hiding at the roots and, if you can, leave a treatment on for as long as possible. Just slather it all over, twist your hair into a top knot and let it do its magic.’

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Milk Dh170

YOUR KIT Origins VitaZing SPF15 Energy Boosting Moisturizer Dh149

The concerns: Whether it’s a militarystyle bootcamp you’ve signed up for or an intense 20-minute YouTube workout from the comfort of your front room, HIIT (high intensity interval training) is all about getting your heart rate up quickly and, therefore, sweating bucket loads.

And whilst sweating is no bad thing for your body or your skin, as it flushes out toxins, if you don’t cleanse them off properly, said toxins can end up lingering on the surface of the skin, falling into your pores and, lo and behold, you’ve got a breakout.

Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil Dh218

Ouai Treatment Masque Dh150 (for pack of 8)

Christophe Robin Purifying Shampoo Dh103

What you need: Getting your skin squeaky clean and sweat-free post workout is essential, and we’re afraid a make-up wipe won’t cut it. If you’re hitting the shower, then cleanse twice with a purifying wash. If you’re having to dash post-class then keep a micellar water – ideally with some antibacterial ingredients – in your bag, saturate some cotton pads with it and wipe all over your skin. If you’ve got time, then a deep-cleansing clay-based mask is ideal to do afterwards – that way you make sure your pores are well and

truly cleared out. Finish with a swipe of an exfoliating acid all over to help tighten your pores and obliterate any lingering dirt. If you’re heading out afterwards then make sure you protect your skin with SPF, but if it’s the end of the day then you and your skin can climb straight into bed for a well-earned rest.

YOUR KIT

La Mer The Cleansing Micellar Water Dh420

Glam Glow Supermud Clearing Treatment Dh320

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Starskin The Master Cleanser Foam Detoxing Sea Kelp Leaf Cleansing Foam Dh68

HOTOS BY ISTOCK/SHUTTERSTOCK

Swimmers: Don’t be dry

BEAUTY The three types of eyelash extensions you should know about Russian layering

What are they? While these are one of the most expensive options, they are also one of the best. The process works by layering full, voluminous lashes on each of your natural lashes to create a doll-like effect. While these lashes look thick, they are actually superlight so, after a few days, you won’t notice that they are there. The only catch? They take around two and a half hours to apply, oh and they don’t come cheap!

Where Sisters Beauty Lounge, Dubai Mall How much Dh700 for a full set, Dh350 for refills

THE DETAILS Yep, Gigi Hadid is doing make-up – plus all the other products arriving on beauty counters this week from Lindsay Judge

Endless extensions

What is it?

Wafi’s eyelash extension centre offers membership rather than a single treatment. For a set price you will have a full set of extensions applied with the option to go back as many times as you want within a set period.

The plus point? As long as you keep visiting, your lashes will always have that just-left-the-salon look.

Where Eyelash Extension Centre, Wafi Mall How much Prices start at Dh690 for a two-week membership, Dh1,590 for a two-month membership and Dh5,990 for a one-year membership.

Abu Dhabi residents are getting a brand new Sephora store! Opening in Marina Mall, the huge store will stock all your favourite Sephora brands, and will also include a Beauty Hub where shoppers can try out the latest products and get the advice of make-up artists. It opens this week.

WEDNESDAY WELLNESS Every Wednesday, Heavenly Spa at The Westin, Al Habtoor City, is offering women amazing discounts – 50 per cent off 20 treatments including facials, massages and hammam, plus access to rooftop pool until 9pm! Massages start from Dh255 before the discount; call 04 437 3300.

Nouveau SVS lashes

What are they? SVS stands for speed, volume and style. The application method requires your technician to apply multiple lashes in a fan-like shape from each of your natural lashes, to create a fuller appearance. They take around 90 minutes to apply.

Where Kozma and Kozma, Al Wasl Road, Dubai How much LVL Lashes, Dh250; SVS, Dh375 for a full set, Dh200 for refills

SEPHORA OPENS NEW STORE

LIPS TO KILL

Rouge Dior and Double Rouge are the latest make-up products from Dior beauty, with Hollywood star Natalie Portman being the brand ambassador. The two lip formulas have a silky texture with a metallic finish – ontrend and perfect for the festive season. The liquid is a light product that will stain your lips, and the lipstick has a creamy formula for an ombre effect. Dior says the colour will stay on your lips for 12 hours – hello, party season!

Prices from Dh128, at beauty counters.

MAC’S MINIS

MAC has just unveiled a range of 10 mini lipsticks. The shades are part of the My Little MAC range of handbag-sized products, perfect for applying on the go. The shades include popular colours Ruby Woo and Velvet Teddy. Other than lipsticks, you can also get My Little MAC lip glosses – a range of shiny lip tints that come in bite-size packages.

Prices start from Dh36, available at MAC beauty counters and online.

GIGI X MAYBELLINE

Gigi Hadid will soon be launching a make-up line with Maybelline. The model revealed on her Instagram account last week that she has partnered with the beauty brand to create her own collection: Gigi X Maybelline. Although few details of the collaboration have yet been revealed, Gigi captioned her post ‘a year in the making,’ suggesting she has been working on the project for some time. Her snap reveals a full makeup collection including lipsticks, brushes and palettes. Stay tuned for full details as soon as we receive them.

FOR MORE UAE BEAUTY EVERY DAY:

fridaymagazine.ae

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ASK THE EXPERTS

Q

PLEASE HELP! I’M TERRIFIED OF LIZARDS I’m a 17-year-old girl who’s terrified of lizards, to the point where I have nightmares about them.

I cannot even look at a picture of one. The fear began when I was very young. How can I tackle this fear?

A

We all have our own little fears of this or that but a phobia is something far more than this. To others, these fears can seem irrational, even silly, but to the sufferer they’re anything but. Just because it isn’t as ‘traditional’ as a phobia of spiders or snakes for instance, it doesn’t mean it’s any less serious.

I’ve encountered countless phobias over the years, that for other people, may seem bizarre – such as a fear of balloons, buttons, even stairs to name a few. These issues can have a real impact on a person’s daily life.

You mention that your fear began when you were young, which is a typical trait. Young children’s minds are extremely impressionable – easy to frighten, easy to build on their incredible imaginations – and being confronted with something that scares us as toddlers can leave a lasting aversion to whatever that may be.

That’s where an ‘association’ is developed. It’s only when we become more mature that we become aware of how irrational these fears are, but we’re still powerless to combat them as they’re now ‘hard-wired’ into our brains.

Never fear! (Sorry.) You can learn to re-map your ‘fear-core’. Try thinking back to when your fear began – pinpointing a specific early memory that may have sparked it. This way you can start to understand how your phobia may

have developed. Often, understanding the root of the issue can help you in overcoming it; by methodically working backwards to trace your fear, you’ll be better equipped to deal with it.

Another option is to seek the help of a trained professional with expertise in this field. They’ll be able to structure a detailed programme of management that may involve exploring the root cause of the phobia and gradually building up your tolerance to looking at lizards, progressively moving through phased steps towards the biggest step, which for you would be touching or holding a lizard.

I’ve worked with people with mortal fears of animals who subsequently have gone on to get up close with their former antagonist.

There is much you can do to help yourself.

Think of combating fear as climbing a ladder, and this fear ladder can only be climbed one rung at a time. As regular readers know, I love making lists and letters to ourselves – they work!

Start by making a comprehensive list of frightening situations related to your lizard fear, then rank them from least scary to most terrifying. Then you have your ladder. Draw it out visually with each step labelled on the rungs.

These are your goals. By this I mean your first goal might be to look at a picture of a lizard for a couple of seconds. Your most extreme goal might be to hold one. Then begin to climb. Don’t leave the first rung until you feel totally comfortable. Then climb up to the next rung and so on. In fact, you’ve taken the first step by writing to me and acknowledging the issue. So you’re already on your way.

RUSSELL HEMMINGS

is a life coach, and clinical and cognitive behavioural hypnotherapist

IS GOING ON A KETO DIET THE RIGHT WAY TO LOSE WEIGHT?

Q A

What is a ketogenic diet and is it a healthy way to lose weight?

RASHI CHOWDHARY is a nutritionist, diabetes educator and creator of The Protein Bake Shop

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Ketogenic diets have been around for a while now.

Keto diet is also known as a low-carb diet or low-carb high-fat diet. It helps the body produce ketones. These are a by-product of fat being broken down for energy when carbohydrate intake is low, in the liver, and are used as energy.

Here is how it works: At any given point, our body is burning fuel to produce energy. You can either be burning fat or carbs

as fuel for energy. Most of us, burn carbs for fuel or rather burn the glucose that is in our bloodstream from the food that we eat.

Ketogenic diets are extremely low in carbs (under 20g) and they ensure that our body starts to burn fat to give us energy.

When fat is metabolised, our body releases compounds called ketones, which are secreted in our urine to confirm that the process of ketosis has kicked in. Most people will feel an instant change – within 3-4 days – of being on a proper ketogenic plan.

While it has shown to help some people, it is just not sustainable for a lot of people.

In my clinical practice, I use it only for clients who are experiencing a plateau or who have a deranged metabolism.

It is also advised only for a short period of time and the client should be monitored regularly.

Doing these plans for long periods is not advisable because the weight usually is replaced with a vengeance.

Most people find it difficult to stay off social commitments and feel deprived and depressed after a month or two.

I’M PLANNING TO TAKE A HOME LOAN

Q

We are planning to buy a home later this year by taking a loan from a bank.

Is it better to opt for a loan from our existing bank as we have a long relationship with it, or should we look around for better rates of interest? I’ve been getting mixed responses from friends.

A

The home finance market is competitive and equipped with multiple finance options.

Consequently, it is essential to prudently study your alternatives before you make the huge decision of selecting your best product.

As home finance could be the largest financial borrowing you would undertake, it’s extremely important to understand the pros and cons of the various options available in the market.

However, I would recommend you to understand the current mortgage option available with your bank. Based on your banking relationship you could enjoy a few benefits that could be fruitful over time since we know home finance is a long-term financial commitment. However, that’s not the end of the story.

Start navigating the market and observe what options are available in the market. Study them well so you have enough preference to choose from or to study your benefit.

Speaking to a mortgage professional could be an added value to your search. The fact that they don’t work with any particular bank and so will be able to convey an unbiased counsel could be very helpful. It can ultimately lead you to the factual financial decision in your life.

To sum up, shop around and explore the options before you make the biggest financial decision. It becomes even more vital if you are planning to buy the home for self use. Do not look for short-term gain, but always keep an eye on the interest rate on your monthly repayments, which play a fundamental component in your monthly outflow expenses.

DHIREN GUPTA managing director of 4C Mortgage Consultancy, is a financial expert

GOT A PROBLEM?

Our fantastic panel of renowned experts is available to answer all your questions related to fashion, well-being, nutrition, finance and hypnotherapy. Email your queries to friday@gulfnews.com

I’D LIKE TO BE A CRIMINAL PSYCHOLOGIST

PHOTOS BY AIZA CASTILLO DOMINGO /ANAS THACHARPADIKKAL/ STEFAN LINDEQUE

Q

I’d like to become a criminal psychologist, preferably with the police. Can you throw some light on the subject?

SANJEEV VERMA

is an international education counsellor

A

Criminal psychology is the confluence of psychology, criminology and criminal justice.

Trained in human behaviour, criminal psychologists work closely with the entire justice department with the intent to not only understand but also reduce and prevent the offending behaviour. They work in various capacities from being an expert witness for the victim and helping rehabilitate the offender to assisting in the selection of a jury.

Often a criminal psychologist is required to determine the defendant’s state of mind, which requires meetings and interviews with all stakeholders, administering personality tests and deciding on the ability of the

defendant to stand trial.

It is essential for a criminal psychologist to be highly trained in law, human behaviour, sociology, biology and forensics.

And within the law, they should be well conversant with the mental health law. Unlike clinical psychologists, criminal psychologists do not work with their clients over an extended period of time. Their role is more precise, relates to a specific task and they are required to offer their findings on completion. The job is not meant to be therapeutic and their responsibility is limited to the evaluation of the event and human behaviour.

A degree in criminal psychology requires studying criminology as a major subject and psychology as a minor.

Criminal psychology in the UK is offered for three years as a Bachelor Degree program and four years in the US. Some students study general

psychology for bachelor’s and enhance their qualifications with a specialisation in Criminology/ Criminal psychology or forensic psychology.

In selecting a university ensure the program is accredited by appropriate authorities.

Universities that offer this subject would include George Washington University, NYU, University of Denver, Teesside, Staffordshire, Kent and Christ College. Another option would be to do a joint degree in psychology and law.

Your training will include regular field trips to courts, prisons and youth offender training centres and meeting professionals in the criminal justice sector. Apart from technical skills acquired during your studies, an analytical mind to observe and rationalise patterns in behaviour, thought and crime are necessary for this profession.

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Powerof one Add Latin American staples – chilli, lime, beans and potatoes – for one-pot wonders packed with flavour

SALT COD AND BEAN SOUP Prep time overnight Cooking time 1 hour 30 mins Serves 8-10 450g mixed dried beans, such as lima, kidney or cannellini beans, soaked overnight in cold water, and drained 4 tbsp olive oil 2 white onions, chopped 5 garlic cloves, crushed 15g achiote paste (a Mexican spice) 1½ tsp coarsely ground cumin seeds 500ml milk 3 litres chicken stock 600g butternut squash, peeled, halved, seeded and diced 130g green lentils 130g basmati rice 900g boneless, skinless salt cod fillet, soaked overnight in 3 changes of water, drained and cut into 4-5cm chunks 120g frozen peas 1 courgette, diced Chopped coriander, sliced jalapeno, hardboiled eggs, olive oil, chilli powder and lime Boil beans in a large saucepan until just tender, 20-25 mins, then drain and set aside. Heat oil in a large casserole over medium heat, add onion and saute until soft and translucent, 10-12 mins.

Add garlic, stir until fragrant, 2-3 mins, then stir in achiote paste and cumin, and stir constantly until toasted, 2-4 mins. Add milk, 2 litres of stock and cooked beans and simmer gently uncovered until beans are very tender, 30-35 mins. Add pumpkin, lentils and rice, and stir to combine, then add salt cod and remaining stock and simmer until lentils, rice and cod are tender, 15-20 mins. Season to taste, stir in peas and courgette and cook until just tender, 2-4 mins.

Remove salt cod from the soup, break into bitesize pieces, then return to soup. Ladle soup into bowls, top with coriander, jalapenos, eggs and chilli. Drizzle with olive oil and serve with lime. *Tip: Salt cod, aka bacalao, can be sourced online or at Markets and Platters in Dubai.

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FOOD DUCK AND POTATO STEW

Prep time 20 mins Cooking time 1 hour 20 mins Serves 4

2 tsp olive oil 4 duck leg pieces (thigh and leg), cut in half through the joint 1 small white onion, chopped 4 garlic cloves, crushed 4 tbsp aji amarillo paste (Peruvian chilli; available online) 410ml chicken stock 1 cup finely chopped coriander 8 baby potatoes Steamed rice, lime wedges and coriander Heat olive oil in a large deep frying over medium high heat, add duck pieces and fry, turning occasionally, until browned all over and fat has rendered, 3-5 mins. Set duck aside, add onion to pan and saute over medium heat until softened, 10-12 mins. Add garlic, stir until tender, 2-3 mins, then add aji amarillo paste and stir until fragrant, 1-1½ mins. Add stock and coriander and bring to the boil. Return duck to pan, season to taste, reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, until duck is very tender, adding potatoes to pan during the last 20 mins of cooking. Skim off excess fat, spoon duck stew over rice, garnish with fresh coriander and serve with lime.

TOMATO AND NOODLE SOUP Prep time 25 mins Cooking time 45 mins Serves 4-6

1 whole chicken, skin removed and cleaned 1 ½ litres chicken stock 80ml olive oil A pinch of saffron 100g spaghetti, coarsely broken BLEND TOGETHER: 800g canned whole tomatoes, drained 2 onions, coarsely chopped 3 garlic cloves, peeled 2 canned chipotle chillies in adobo, plus 1 tbsp of the adobo sauce Boil chicken in the stock until cooked. Remove the chicken from the stock and keep aside to cool.

Debone and shred the chicken into chunks. Reserve the stock. Heat half the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Carefully add tomato mixture and saffron and simmer, half covered, for 8-10 mins. Add stock and simmer half-covered for 20-30 mins, adding chicken in the last 5 mins of cooking. Heat remaining oil in a large frying pan, add pasta and stir continuously until evenly golden brown, 2-3 mins, then drain on paper towels. Add to soup and simmer until pasta is tender, stirring often so the pasta does not stick to the bottom of the pan, 5-6 mins. Season and divide among bowls straight away, scatter coriander and serve with lime wedges.

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FOOD

ECUADORIAN POTATO SOUP Prep time 30 mins Cooking time 45 mins Serves 4-6 80ml olive oil 2 onions, coarsely chopped 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 2 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp ground achiote, plus extra to serve 1.8kg floury potatoes, coarsely chopped 250ml milk 60g coarsely grated feta, plus extra, crumbled, to serve 60g coarsely grated vintage cheddar Coarsely chopped coriander and thinly sliced spring onion, to serve AJI AMARILLO SAUCE 4 long green chillies or 2 jalapenos 1 cup (firmly packed) coriander 4 spring onions, chopped 2 tbsp white vinegar 1 tbsp aji amarillo paste Juice of 2 limes ½ tsp ground cumin For the aji amarillo sauce, blacken chillies over a flame or roast in a hot oven, turning occasionally, 2-3 mins, then place in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and leave to steam, 5-10 mins. Peel chillies, coarsely chop and process in a food processor with coriander and spring onion until coarsely chopped. Transfer to a bowl, stir in remaining ingredients and season to taste. Heat half the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat, add onion, garlic, cumin and achiote, stir to combine, then fry stirring occasionally, until onion is tender and translucent, 4-5 mins. Add 1.5kg potatoes, stir to coat in the onion mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, for another 5 mins. Add 1.5 litres of water, season to taste and bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to the medium and simmer until potatoes are tender, 20-25 mins.

Coarsely mash the potatoes so little chunks of potato remain but the overall texture is creamy, then stir in milk, adding a little extra, if necessary, to thin the soup so as to achieve the desired consistency. Simmer for another 5 mins, then sit in cheeses and remove from the heat. Heat remaining oil in a large frying pan over mediumhigh heat, add remaining potato and fry, turning occasionally, until golden brown and tender, 6-7 mins. Drain on paper towels and season to taste. Serve soup hot topped with fried potato, coriander, spring onion and aji Amarillo sauce.

60

BLACK BEAN SOUP

Prep time overnight Cooking time 1½ hours Serves 6

1 onion, finely chopped 4 tbsp olive oil 5 garlic cloves, finely chopped 3 tsp coarsely crushed cumin seeds 2 tsp dried oregano 1 ½ litres chicken stock 500g dried black beans, soaked overnight then drained Coarsely chopped coriander, crumbled feta, sliced avocado, lime wedges and warm flour tortillas, to serve Fry onion in oil in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft and translucent, 8-10 mins. Add garlic, cumin and oregano and stir until fragrant, 2-3 mins. Add stock and beans, and bring to the boil, skimming the scum from the surface, then reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until beans are very tender, about 1 hour 20 mins. Pulse soup with a hand blender to your preferred texture, season to taste, divide among bowls, top with coriander, feta and avocado, and serve with lime wedges and tortillas.

PAGE SLUG FOOD

BEEF AND PUMPKIN SOUP Prep time 35 mins Cooking time 4 hours

RECIPES AND PHOTOS BY CAMERA PRESS

800g beef chuck, diced 2 tsp ground cumin 2 tsp ground coriander 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped 6 dried chillies 3 onions, peeled 2 tbsp olive oil 2 litres beef stock 100g dried apricots, halved 3 oregano sprigs 1 sweet potato, peeled and cut into rough 3cm chunks 500g pumpkin (preferably kabocha), peeled and cut into 2cm wedges Juice of 1 lime, plus wedges to serve Finely chopped onion, coarsely chopped coriander and toasted pumpkin seeds, to serve Combine beef, spices and half the garlic in a bowl, season to taste and toss to coat well, then leave to marinate for 30 mins. Meanwhile, dry-roast chillies in a frying pan over mediumhigh heat until fragrant and darkened, 1-2 mins.

Coarsely chop 1½ onions and combine in a food processor with toasted chillies, remaining garlic and 250ml water. Stand for 10 mins to allow chillies to soften, then process to a paste. Heat oil in a casserole over medium high heat, add beef and brown well all over, 5-6 mins, then transfer to a plate. Add chilli paste mixture to the casserole and simmer until reduced by half, 8-10 mins. Cut remaining onion into wedges and add to the casserole along with beef, stock, apricots, oregano and 500ml water, season to taste, bring to a simmer and cook, half-covered, until beef begins to fall apart, about 3 hours.

Add sweet potato and pumpkin and simmer half-covered until tender, about 30 mins.

Squeeze in lime juice, season to taste and serve hot scattered with onion, coriander and pumpkin seeds.

62

RECIPE PAGE CARDS SLUG

SPAGHETTI WITH PRAWNS

SPINACH RAVIOLI WITH ALMONDS

RAG PASTA SOUP WITH CHICKEN

VEAL STROGANOFF WITH PASTA

63

RECIPE CARDS Prep time 5 mins Cooking time 15 Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

500g store-bought cheese ravioli (from the chiller) 20g butter 35g (1/4 cup) silvered almonds 400 ml cream 2 cloves garlic, crushed 80g Parmesan cheese, finely grated Freshly grated nutmeg, to taste 125g baby spinach

METHOD

Cook the ravioli in a large pan of well-salted boiling water until al dente; drain. Melt the butter in a large frying pan; add the silvered almonds. Cook, stirring, over medium heat until the almonds are browned lightly. Transfer to a plate. Add the cream and garlic to the same pan. Simmer until cream mixture is reduced by half, taking care it does not bubble over the top of pan. Add half the Parmesan, nutmeg and the spinach to the cream sauce.

Simmer, tossing the spinach until just wilted. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add drained ravioli to pan and stir gently to coat the ravioli in the sauce. Serve in warmed pasta bowls, sprinkled with almonds and remaining Parmesan.

VEAL STROGANOFF WITH PASTA Prep time 15 mins Cooking time 15 mins Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

350g veal steak 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 400g dried pappardelle pasta 25g butter 150g onions, finely sliced 2 tsp sweet paprika 225g button mushrooms, sliced 120g sour cream 2 tbsp lemon juice 2 tbsp finely chopped dill

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SPAGHETTI WITH PRAWNS METHOD

Prep time 15 mins Cooking time 15 mins Serves 4-6

INGREDIENTS

750g king prawns 500g spaghetti 125ml extra virgin olive oil 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped 2 small red chillies, finely chopped 1 tsp finely grated lemon rind 2 tbsp lemon juice Finely chopped parsley, to serve

RAG PASTA SOUP WITH CHICKEN

METHOD

Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. Cut the veal into thin strips and place into a bowl with the oil. Season lightly with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, and toss to evenly coat the meat in the seasoned oil. Heat a large non-stick frying pan over a high heat and add the meat. Stir-fry quickly until brown. Remove from the pan. Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions.

Meanwhile, add butter to the warm pan, then add onion and paprika. Reduce heat to medium and cook until onion is golden.

Add the mushrooms and cook for a few minutes. Stir in the sour cream into the mushrooms and simmer for a few minutes. When the cream is just bubbling, stir through the lemon juice, dill and veal. Drain the pappardelle and divide among four warm pasta bowls. Top with veal sauce and sprinkle with extra dill.

Shell and devein prawns, leaving tails intact. Butterfly the prawns by cutting down the back of each prawn. Bring a large pot of wellsalted water to a rapid boil. Add pasta; cook until al dente. Drain, reserving 125ml of the cooking water. Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a large frying pan. Add prawns and cook for 1 minute, then turn and cook for a further 20 seconds or until just cooked through (you may need to do this batches). Remove from the pan and set aside. Reduce heat to medium, heat remaining oil in pan. Add the garlic and chilli; cook for about 1 minute, stirring, until fragrant. Return the prawns to the pan with drained pasta, lemon rind, juice and parsley; toss to combine. Season with freshly ground black pepper and salt.

Serve immediately.

METHOD

Prep time 15 mins Cooking time 25 mins Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

1 litre chicken stock 400g chicken breast fillets 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 350g leek, rinsed, finely chopped 120g carrots, grated 120g courgettes, grated 200g celery sticks, finely sliced 3 sheets (250g) fresh lasagne 2 tbsp finely chopped parsley

Place the stock into a saucepan and bring to the boil. Add chicken and reduce heat to a simmer; cook, covered, for 10 mins or until cooked through. Remove chicken from the pan and set to one side to cool. Reserve chicken stock. When cool to touch, shred the meat. Heat oil in a medium saucepan and add leek; cook, stirring, over medium heat until leek is soft and golden. Add carrot, courgette and celery. Cook, stirring, for 2-3 mins. Add reserved stock and bring back to the boil.

Roughly tear the pasta into small pieces. Add to the pan, along with the shredded chicken. Cook for 2-3 mins or until the pasta is al dente. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Ladle into 4 warm soup bowls and serve sprinkled with parsley, if desired.

RECIPES AND PHOTOS BY CAMERA PRESS

SPINACH RAVIOLI WITH ALMONDS

THE FOOD CULTURALIST bobbed into view, consoling me momentarily with the knowledge of at least one ingredient. Maybe it reminded me of mum’s green chilli gravy? The server frantically rushed to the chef with the hope of some answer to scratch my uncontrollable itch, but was dismissed with three words and nothing more: ‘Fish curry powder’. I was at my wits’ end.

A FISH CURRY LIGHTBULB MOMENT The tang in the dish has Arva Ahmed in a memory tangle

Y

ou know that moment when you taste something and a light instantly flashes on in your mental library of memories?

Mamak’s sour fish curry and All it took was a curry sambal-spiced dhal are soothed by flaky roti and foamy teh tarik in a shallow dipping bowl for multiple bulbs to flicker disjointedly in sugar and condensed milk, it would be at the my mind. I groped around the dusty corner of Mamak stalls. Digesting it all would be almost my mind called ‘Childhood’ and tracked down impossible, if not for copious cups of teh tarik the section on Mum’s Cooking – there was an – chai that has been sloshed from tumbler to overriding flavour in the curry that I had tasted tumbler until it has a thick layer of froth on top. in my mother’s kitchen. But the asynchronous I tore off another piece of roti, dipping it into flickering simply didn’t shed enough light for me the reddish, oily pool and raking my brains to to find the exact chapter across hefty volumes decipher the ingredients. The roti itself required of childhood recollections. no detective work. I had attempted making it When the server at Mamak Restaurant in once for a particularly ambitious party menu Al Wasl Square had set the bowl down, he after watching a YouTube video. The cook had given it a matter-of-fact introduction: ‘Fish stretched a glistening ball of dough along the curry’. Along with yellow dhal splashed with a counter with his fingers and then tossed it fiery chilli sambal, it was the accompaniment for a tissue-thin, flaky roti smeared with egg and cheese. The curry was sour in the way that teases the lining of your mouth, making it leak until you plug it with another bite. The toasted fragrance of freshly ground spices sailed through the liquid, leaving behind a slight trail of dramatically until it had grown to become a residual heat. Maybe it shared something with taut, translucent sheet. He then folded it into a my mother’s pickled eggplant curry? fragile parcel and slipped it over a griddle until Roti canai (pronounced roti chan-eye), is it became flush with colour and crisp around a popular dish of shallow-fried crepes and the edges. For a week before my dinner party, curry hawked across Mamak stalls in Malaysia.

I practiced with an imaginary roti in the air at Mamak is a term associated with the Tamil work when no one was looking. It was almost Muslims from India who migrated to Malaysia the same – in both technique and intimidation and opened stalls that brought together the – as a Kerala-style parotta. An hour before the most comforting flavours of south Indian and party, I replayed my air technique with real Malaysian cooking. If there is a place to have dough and emerged triumphant from the tandoori chicken, fried Maggi noodles topped kitchen with a stack of pathetically misshapen with eggs, chicken skewers dunked in sweet rotis that would have Mamak stalls up in arms peanut satay sauce, fried rice snuggled into across Malaysia. My dinner guests graciously omelettes and towering ‘dosai’ sparkling with maintained their silence.

The server had to be summoned back to the table. With every bite of the fish curry, I was FOR GREAT FOOD EVERY DAY only growing hungrier for the recipe. It was packed with concentrated flavour – fragrant, spicy, tangy all at once. A lone mustard seed

S

ometimes some flavours are so ingrained in your DNA that you take them for granted. This often happens to me with flavours that my mother brought to the table but that I never cared to watch being created in the kitchen. I am intimately familiar with the results of her magic through my childhood, but not with the tricks on how to get there. It took a trip to one of Mamak’s other branches, in Downtown Dubai and a manhunt for the owner to get the answer.

Muhammad Riaz, the owner of the family-run chain of Mamak restaurants in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, graciously shared the recipe for asam pedas with me. It was tamarind that balanced the spices in Mamak’s fish curry, the same way that vinegar balances out many a creamy French sauce.

Credit for the concentrated flavour of the dish does not solely go to tamarind – it is shared equally by the pounding of onions

PHOTOS BY ANAS THACHARPADIKKAL

I emerged from the kitchen with a stack of pathetically misshapen rotis that would have Mamak stalls up in arms across Malaysia

fridaymagazine.ae

and shallots in a mortar and pestle, a drizzle of coconut milk and the fragrant combination of fenugreek, cumin, fennel, mustard seeds and curry leaves tempered in oil. My only gripe is that the fish used is kingfish, one that appears on the depressingly unsustainable list of fish in the country. Maybe I can coax Riaz to switch to pomfret, because that tiny dipping bowl of fish curry is worth lobbying for.

Now that fish curry has been correctly indexed in my mind for future reference, I feel liberated enough to appreciate other dishes on the menu. This time, I might keep things simple and order something my adult mind can instantly recognise, no matter how rusty and aged: Mamak-style Maggi noodles, and roti drizzled with sweet condensed milk.

Arva Ahmed offers guided tours revealing Dubai’s culinary hideouts (fryingpanadventures.com).

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PRODUCT OF THE WEEK: TILE MATE

WILD ANIMAL SELFIES:

S

ome of the Amazon’s most endangered creatures are under threat from the growing trend of tourists taking ‘wild animal selfies’, according to a new investigation by the charity World Animal Protection.

Selfies with animals has become a trend in recent years, with a 292 per cent increase in the number of images posted to Instagram from 2014 to the present. However, behind the scenes, animals are kept in cruel conditions with many dying soon after being snatched from their natural habitat.

More than 40 per cent of images taken are what are referred to as ‘bad’ wildlife selfies: Photos that feature someone hugging, holding or inappropriately interacting with a wild animal.

World Animal Protection sent investigators to the Manaus, Brazil, and Puerto Alegria, Peru, who found that irresponsible tour operators were inflicting cruelty on wild animals by using them to provide photo ops for paying tourists.

EVIDENCE OF CRUELTY INCLUDED:

✱ Sloths captured from the wild, tied to trees with rope, not surviving longer than six months ✱ Birds, such as toucans, with severe abscesses on their feet ✱ Green anacondas wounded and dehydrated ✱ Caimans restrained with rubber bands around their jaws ✱ An ocelot (a type of wild cat) kept in a small barren cage ✱ A manatee held in a tiny tank in the forecourt of a local hotel ✱ A giant anteater manhandled and beaten by its owner 66

JUST DON’T

Research by the charity found that more than half of 249 attractions it looked at online offered direct contact with wild animals. It was particularly concerned at the use of sloths as ‘props’ in photos. According to the charity, the animal is particularly vulnerable to human interaction and there is ‘good reason to believe”’ that most sloths being used for tourist selfies die within six months of this treatment.

‘It’s extremely distressing to see animals being stolen from the wild and used as photo props for posting on social media,’ says global wildlife adviser Dr Neil D’Cruze from World Animal Protection. ‘The growing demand for harmful wildlife selfies is not only a serious animal welfare concern but also a conservation concern. Our online review of this kind of practice in Latin America found that more than 20 per cent of the species involved are threatened by extinction and more than 60 per cent are protected by international law.’

As well as calling on governments to enforce existing laws and ensure travel companies and tour operators abide by them, the charity is also launching a Wildlife Selfie Code to teach tourists how to take a photo with a wild animal without contributing to cruelty. This means refraining from taking a selfie with an animal that is being held, hugged or restrained, is being baited with food, or has the possibility of causing harm to someone. Selfies with wild animals should be taken from a safe distance to the animal, which should be in its natural habitat, free to move and not being held captive.

Steve McIvor, CEO at World Animal Protection said: ‘Behind the scenes wild animals are being taken from their mothers as babies and secretly kept in filthy, cramped conditions or repeatedly baited with food, causing severe psychological trauma.’

Keep track of your precious belongings with this chip-sized Bluetooth tracker that you can latch onto valuables like a keychain and monitor through a corresponding app on your phone. It’s petite but packs a punch in terms of utility – if your missing item is within a 100-foot range your phone will keep beeping until you find it; if it’s your phone that’s gone AWOL in the chaos of your bag just double click the tile and the app will make your phone ring even if it’s on silent; the app keeps track of where your tiled item was last seen, and last but not least, its network of 10 million users are an international lost and found community that helps hunt down items. From Dh88 on amazon.com.

TWICE THE STAYCATION

The Desert Palm Dubai is doubling up on staycation fun with two offers: All guests booking a room, suite or villa at the resort nab a free daily breakfast at Epicure restaurant and 15 per cent discount at the hotel’s spa and restaurants; valid until October 31. The Pool Residence IMG package will go down a treat with families seeking excitement over the Halloween weekend – the package includes a stay for four people in a Pool Residence and four tickets to IMG Worlds of Adventure.

From Dh5,990 valid until December 28.

Call 04 323 8888.

TR AVEL UPDATES

NEW ISLAND GETAWAYS IN THE INDIAN OCEAN

The Indian Ocean has some of the world’s most picturesque islands, the kind you wouldn’t mind being cast away on. These new luxury hotels have introductory offers so you can enjoy island life for less

SEYCHELLES

MAURITIUS

The LUX Grand Gaube is reopening in December after an intense Dh117 million overhaul but if you book before November 30, you get a 15 per cent discount.

Wonder why you should stop by for a stay? Re-imagined by British interior designer Kelly Hoppen and

Mauritian architect Jean-Francois Adam, the resort will have a retrochic look with two new beaches peppered with hammocks, tropical gardens, 186 bedrooms and suites, an indoor cinema for screenings of movies and sporting events and six F&B outlets. There are more amenities scattered around for serious pampering – the resort will have a LUX Me spa with Africanstyle treatment huts, a flagship Kérastase salon and London’s Murdock barber shop. You’ll also find a state-of-the-art fitness centre that offers guests an array of workout options such as openair calisthenics, a tennis academy, cardio boot camp circuits, meditation, yoga and expert advice from a wellness concierge.

Deluxe rooms start from Dh10,550 per night. Visit luxresorts.com.

The new Four Seasons Resort Seychelles is opening on the private island of Desroches in March 2018 but those who book

by December 31 can reap 30 per cent discounts thanks to the introductory Island Debut package.

Here’s why this resort should be on your radar – the Seychelles’ many one-resort private islands are a celebrity favourite honeymoon destination – it has George and Amal Clooney and Prince William and Kate Middleton’s seal of approval – for the privacy and seclusion they provide. The Four Seasons property on Desroches is as remote and disconnected as it gets; it’s a 35-minute flight from the main island of Mahe, plus the resort has only 71 accommodations, a mix of villas, bungalows and residences each with its own pool, so it’s never too crowded. For the young and restless the resort’s Cast

Away centre will guide guests on where on the island they can hike, cycle, dive and fish and try out watersports. If you’d rather stay in there’s an organic spa, a postcardperfect lighthouse restaurant and a tortoise sanctuary that’s home to approximately 150 giant Aldabra tortoises.

PHOTOS BY ALAMY WORDS BY SHREEJA RAVINDRANATHAN/GUARDIAN NEWS & MEDIA LTD, 2017

FOR TRAVEL EVERY DAY

TWO AVANI HOTELS FOR TUNIS

fridaymagazine.ae

Good things come in pairs and Avani Hotels & Resorts is striking Tunis with two new hotels. The soon-to-launch Avani Les Berges Du Lac Tunis Suites will be a 41-key property offering serviced apartment accommodation, an all-day dining restaurant and a health club with a gym, two spa treatment rooms, sauna, steam rooms and an indoor swimming pool. The hotel is set to open before the end of the year but no dates have been confirmed yet.

The second Avani hotel – the Avani Gammarth Tunis Resort & Spa (right) – will open in 2021. The resort will have 232 rooms and 18 private beach villas. Also shaping up at this beachfront property are five F&B outlets including a beach club, a meeting and conference space including a 1,000 square metre ballroom, and a health club with a spa, two swimming pools and a kids’ club. Visit minorhotels.com.

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Two writers debate whether young people’s travel experiences are marred by connectivity: Novelist William Sutcliffe, chronicler of the ’90s backpaper experience, and Telegraph travel journalist Charlotte Johnstone, who did her gap year in 2015

YES

When I travelled in my late teens and early twenties, my only communication with home was by postcard. My parents would reply with letters addressed to, for example: ‘Poste Restante, Kathmandu, Nepal’. I still remember the feeling of heading to a central post office, fingering through a huge box of letters in the ‘S’ box in the hope of finding a flimsy airmail missive with a few fragments of news from London. Even more powerfully, I remember the thrill of success – of walking out into a sweltering street buzzing with the sounds of chai-sellers and rickshaw horns, ripping open an envelope that had flown out to find me from a distant place I could picture in every detail, but had barely thought of for days or even weeks. International phone calls were prohibitively expensive, with every minute costing the equivalent of a night’s lodging.

Compare this to the modern backpacker, selfieing on every mountaintop, sending daily or even hourly updates to family, friends and acquaintances with details of their journeys, achievements, hotel rooms and meals. Every traveller throughout history has stored up anecdotes to impress the

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folks back home, but while I had to hold mine in for weeks on end, today’s adventurers tend to behave as if an experience hasn’t actually taken place until it has been shared online, and ‘liked’ by an approving audience. The idea of the Grand Tour has been part of our culture since the 17th century. We have long accepted that for our moral and intellectual development, a long trip away from home, involving total immersion in languages and customs that are unfamiliar, is essential.

To understand the world you have to see more of it than the small corner into which you were born, spending more time than a mere tourist who passes through in a protected, homelike bubble. Travel, for the young, ought to be a profound experience which, through cutting us off from everything that has previously been familiar to us, challenges our beliefs and makes us see the world in new ways. But when so many relationships and social-support networks are conducted digitally, and with every backpacker hostel from Machu Picchu to Dharamsala offering Wi-Fi, is it actually possible for millennials to cut themselves off from home? What has this done to the nature of travel? Twenty years ago, I published the novel Are You Experienced?, which the Lonely Planet guide to

PHOTOS BY GETTY/SHUTTERSTOCK TEXT BY THE TELEGRAPH GROUP LIMITED, LONDON 2017

Hasselfie culture ruined the gapyear?

TRAVEL India (despite being heavily mocked in the book) has hailed a backpacking classic. It is a satire on young travellers, telling the story of a couple who represent two of the most prevalent responses to the subcontinent. She loves everything and is taken in by every pseudo-mystical hippie she meets on the road; he hates everything, can barely handle life without first-world comforts. Their romance does not flourish. When they eventually separate, they find themselves utterly alone, cut off from anyone who can offer the slightest word of support, in a country they simply do not understand. This word, ‘alone’, no longer means what it meant as recently as the Nineties.

O

ne of the strangest things about entering your third decade as a professional writer is that your early novels begin to read like historical fiction.

When I try to describe the pre-internet era to my own children, I can see in their eyes the same look I gave my grandmother when she described milk being delivered by horse and cart. Researching an updated version of Are You Experienced? for a screen adaptation, I recently stayed in a few backpacker hostels in Rajasthan, and what I saw saddened me.

There used to be a significant distinction between a holiday, where you took a short break from routine, and travelling, where you went far away, for a longer time, expecting to return altered by the experience. Middle-aged tourists want a western-style bubble of air-conditioned buses and continental-breakfast buffets, and this is no doubt still sneered at by backpackers; but for the young, the bubble that really matters is social media. Wherever you are, from Kerala to the high Himalayas, hostel lobbies will be filled with young people wearing the same tie-dyed T-shirts and sandals as in my time, eating the same dhal and rice, but instead of reading Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, they will be staring at screens, updating friends at home on what they’ve done that

NO

I took my gap year a couple of years ago, and before I went I couldn’t move for seeing other people’s photos on my Facebook feed. Picture after picture of tanned feet in crystalline waters, Vrksasana yoga poses on a slab of Machu Picchu, dancing at festivals and so on would crop up every day. At first I would wriggle with envy, but after a while they inspired me to stop stalling and head off for a gap year of my own.

And I’m really glad I did, because it changed my life – just as William Sutcliffe’s changed his.

The three months I spent in India and three in Zambia were the hardest and most rewarding times of my life. Despite the fact I had my smartphone in my pocket, I genuinely felt I had immersed myself in a foreign culture, and I learnt a hell of a lot about myself and the world around me. So I think Mr Sutcliffe is wrong to question

day, keeping up on the gossip from whatever town, suburb or campus they supposedly left behind. A modern traveller will probably be more concerned about whether their room has Wi-Fi than whether it has a bathroom. To be disconnected is unthinkable. Tourists have their physical bubble; travellers have their virtual bubble.

Both groups have one foot firmly planted at home.

So where does this leave the idea of travel as a journey of self-discovery? My novel makes fun of middle-class white people who think they have ‘found themselves’ in India. Yet two decades on from having mocked this idea, I find myself nostalgic for it. However much I may have satirised the notion of ‘finding yourself’, I do feel that a central purpose of this kind of travel is to ‘lose yourself’. From the Grand Tour to the Gap Year, this is why it is important to get away – to leave behind parents and friends – to untether yourself from their expectations of who you ought to be. If you are updating your Facebook wall and Instagram page every day, projecting to your peer group a narrative of what you think they want to hear, you are plugging into those very internalised expectations which travel ought to be helping you to shed.

These smiles, which last for as long as a smartphone shutter click, sum up for me the trap that has caught our young.

When you’re in constant communication, not just with close friends but with everyone who follows you online, the pressure to project happiness, and to conform to the expectations of home, travels with you. Travel is not just about what you go towards, it is about what you leave behind. When I was young, you could walk away from your entire life just by getting on a plane. For the Wi-Fi generation, home follows you everywhere.

It seems amazing that communication by Post Restante and Instagram are only 20 years apart. I feel immensely grateful that I had the opportunity to travel in that era when you stepped out onto the hot tarmac of some distant airport and it felt like a freefall into a new world.

William Sutcliffe’s new novel, We See Everything, is out now.

the validity of the experience of today’s travellers. Of course the way we travel has changed; the world around us has changed. There are lots of pluses: you can call home when something happens, book plane tickets on your phone, retrieve cash from an ATM, even find hidden temples on Google maps.

And don’t think that teenagers in remote villages don’t have Facebook accounts – they do. And you can friend them and stay in touch long after you have left. Staying connected doesn’t detract from travelling one iota: Independence doesn’t necessarily have to be solitary and young people don’t need to be cut off from home to explore the wider world and appreciate their place in it. Just as much as our parents’ generation did, we millennials want to watch the sun rise over Buddha’s sacred footprint, share stories of getting lost in the

Staying connected doesn’t detract from travelling one iota: Independence doesn’t necessarily have to be solitary

Philippines, and make friends with like-minded strangers as we dip our feet into the waters of a deserted beach that took us an overnight journey on two different buses to reach.

The values and aspirations are the same. We also have to address the same challenges. Saving up for, planning and executing a gap-year trip is hard work. And that’s before you leave. During the trip – even if you are only a text away from home – you still have to learn how to budget, problem-solve and develop people skills to survive the journey.

And despite young people using the internet back at base after a day of exploring, look around most hostels and you’ll also see us talking, debating the world, planning the future, making friends, face to face. It must be lovely to indulge in the romanticism of yesteryear: Those rose-tinted, gap-year stories of days gone by.

Every generation thinks it’s the special one. But the world moves on. And I’ve made a mental promise to self. If I have children, I shall never put on a pair of Insta-filtered glasses and declare to them: ‘It’s not like it was in my day.’

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Middlechild syndrome?

They’re unambitious, lack social skills and often feel neglected — but Merc’s allnew E-Class Coupé sure has bucked that trend, says wheels’ Imran Malik PHOTOS BY STEFAN LINDEQUE

PHOTOS BY STEFAN LINDEQUE

Y

ou have to hand it to Mercedes and its impressive ability of growing its model range without it feeling diluted.

It’s only just been a year since the all-new E-Class was launched but several variations have sprouted from the same platform as the saloon, which sits, of course, between the C and S-Class. There’s the option of a convertible, estate, rugged All-Terrain, potent E 63 saloon (and estate) and this Coupé; it is the latter that is my favourite and not just because it bears a striking resemblance to the

Mercedes’ new E-Class is good-looking and loaded with features – it’ll have you drooling

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S Coupé – one of the prettiest cars around.

No, it’s because it also packs state-of-the-art technology along with a smooth and relaxing ride and, er... oh who am I kidding? Look at it!

Now, wipe that drool from your chin.

What’s new about the E Coupé? First of all, it is bigger than the predecessor, having grown 123mm longer, 74mm wider and 33mm taller and in spite of a slightly shorter wheelbase, it has 74mm more legroom in the second row.

Adults relegated back there won’t mind one bit anymore but boot space has shrunk from 450 litres to 425 – not that you should care; who buys a two-door and then bemoans its lack of practicality? The styling is softer and all the better for it too; the edgy angles have been ditched for smoother curves and if you didn’t notice, the B-pillars have vanished. This gives the classy exterior, replete with a swooping roofline, an uninterrupted flow. The front end gets a distinctive lower-positioned grille and central star while the LED multibeam headlights illuminate in dramatic fashion as you approach the car. It has a revised powerdome bonnet, a more muscular-looking rear end featuring twopart flat LED taillights and it rides on 20in AMG multi-spoke alloys. Although the C and S-Class saloons look alike, the E-Class differentiates itself a little thanks to the character lines on the body – and the Coupé benefits in the same way.

The macchiato beige and yacht blue Nappa leather interior is just as attractive as

MOTORING

E-CLASS COUPÉ

Engine 2.0-litre four-cylinder Transmission Nine-speed auto, RWD Max power 184bhp @ 5,500rpm Max torque 300Nm @ 1,200rpm Top speed 240kph 0-100kph 7.8sec Length 4,826mm Width 2,055mm Height 1,430mm Wheelbase 2,872mm Weight 1,575kg On sale Now Highs Elegant exterior, fabulous interior, good handling loads of tech and kit but...

Lows... Can too much tech and kit be a hindrance?

Price Dh298,922 (as tested) the exterior and the same dash layout as the four-door is reproduced here; from the unique turbine air vents, twin 12.3in hi-res screens (the infotainment system is on your right while the driving info is on your left), and yards of brushed wood and aluminium, it’s ever-so chic and far more premium than anything else in this class.

It’s dripping with tech too; from the advanced sat-nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, head-up display, ambient lighting (you get a choice of up to 64 colours) and an onboard WiFi hotspot, our Cavansite blue metallic tester has the lot including a banging 13-speaker Burmester surround sound stereo. It also has the Driving Assistance Package, which contains

Thanks to turbine air vents and a sleek dashboard, this car is at the top of its league

Distance Pilot Distronic (it can keep the car at the correct distance behind vehicles but can also automatically follow them at a speed of up to 210kph – you’ll need to be on the autobahn to try this...), Active Braking Assist with CrossTraffic Function and Congestion emergency braking function, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist. Those are a lot of assists – and it begs the question if we really need all this fancy tech in our cars. Are we becoming overly reliant on the wizbangery? It’s a debate for another time, but what’s for certain is it isn’t about to go away anytime soon.

You’d get a lot more bang for your buck with the E 300 and its 2.0-litre turbocharged

The boot space has shrunk slightly – not that you should care; who buys a two-door and then bemoans its lack of practicality?

four-pot which has 245 horses and 370Nm of torque. If you still want more then opt for the E 400 4Matic with a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 (it has 333 horses and 480Nm). But the naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-pot in this E 200 makes do with 184 horses and 300Nm of torque. It doesn’t feel terribly underpowered and has enough power to make merging with traffic or overtaking a breeze. It can hit 100kph from rest in a respectable 7.8 seconds, has a top speed of 240kph and Merc claims a combined fuel efficiency of 6.7 litres per 100km which is pretty good – as is the nine-speed automatic. It shifts seamlessly and a tad more aggressively when you engage Sport Plus mode. In Comfort, the air suspension does a fine job of soaking up road imperfections and it handles very well with hardly any body roll to speak of when you show it a corner. The all-electric steering is quick, precise and light but it firms up when you’re in the sportier settings and in spite of the weight, it feels quite agile and is happy to play along when you get that naughty glint in your eye.

If you feel the C Coupé is too small or the S Coupé is too big, well this is the solution. There’s no middle child syndrome here; this one has turned out to be the best in the family.

WANT MORE WHEELS? Petrolheads, visit wheels.ae (English and Arabic) for your motoring fix.

.ae

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ACROSS

1 English comedy actor remembered for television and radio roles including Hancock’s Half Hour, Round the Horne, many of the Carry On films and as the narrator/voice on Willo the Wisp (8) 5 ______ crocus; also known as meadow saffron and naked lady, a corm plant with lilacblue flowers from September to November, genus Colchicum (6) 9 Sometimes cooked “al dente”, a carbohydrate-rich food available in a variety of shapes including cappelletti, fettuccine, orzo, pappardelle and ziti (5) 13 Netherlander who became an artist at the age of 27 and went on to create world-famous pieces including Sunflowers, Bedroom in Arles, The Red Vineyard and The Starry Night (3,4) 14 “_____ high and sleep low” _____ a maxim used by mountaineers in an effort to prevent altitude sickness (5) 15 Author who wrote the Cormoran Strike trilogy comprising The Cuckoo’s Calling, The 72

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Silkworm and Career of Evil under the pen name of Robert Galbraith (7) 16 A company of plovers; a grove of trees; a platform for a brass band; or, a vessel in a boot room or hall for umbrellas, shooting sticks, crops etc (5) 17 Name of a series of worldwide concert tours led by Roger Waters and a two-disc live album that followed (2,3,5) 18 English queen who outlived her third husband, Henry VIII, by one year (4) 20 Name of the rough-haired Jack Russell noted for his appearances on television with owner Rick Stein (6) 21 Author celebrated in a museum in Bath whose novels Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park and Emma have all been adapted into films (6) 23 Priestess of the Temple of Apollo, also known as the Oracle of Delphi (6) 26 A pigeon shed; a roof space; the thickness of insulating matter in a duvet, sleeping bag or

quilt; or, a warehouse/factory converted into living space (4) 28 Parts of guitars and similar stringed instrument holding the tuning pegs (10) 29 Dorset-born novelist whose classic story Far from the Madding Crowd was recently dramatised by BBC Films (5) 33 Large type of country home; historically, the capital messuage of a feudal lord; or, a variety of lightly- fruited cake made by Mr Kipling (5,5) 35 The science of teeth; or, another word for forensic dentistry (10) 37 First name of the Irish dramatist who adapted Shakespeare’s King Lear with a happy ending and was appointed England’s poet laureate in 1692 (5) 38 Sitcom with Leonard Rossiter as Rigsby and Frances de la Tour as Miss Jones (6,4) 40 Part of a plant or a leaf (4) 42 Village in the Cotswolds, site of the Arlington Row, the cottages pictured on the inside of the English passports (6)

PUZZLES 44 Genus of chives, garlic, leeks, onions, ramsons and shallots (6) 45 Director who has worked with Johnny Depp on many films including Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (6) 49 Small missile thrown at a board with a bull’seye at the centre of its target (4) 50 Old-fashioned jelly-like pudding with a recipe in Mrs. Beeton’s Book of Household Management (10) 52 German brothers who collected and popularised folk and fairy tales (5) 55 Either of two annual days, around March 20 and September 23 (7) 56 Author of The Unfortunate Traveller (5) 57 French composer whose opera Lakmé features the Flower Duet (7) 58 Becky —; main character in William Makepeace Thackeray’s Vanity Fair (5) 59 ______ board; panel for displaying memos, business/appointments cards, postcards, invites, rosettes, recipes... (6) 60 Females of the black grouse (8)

PICTURE FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES

DOWN

1 The First _____ Club; film with Goldie Hawn and Bette Midler based on a novel by Olivia Goldsmith (5) 2 Undeciphered language discovered by archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans (6,1) 3 Nickname of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (4,4) 4 Fleece of the Angora goat (6) 6 __________ of life; experience gained from the real world as opposed to education (10) 7 Inflorescence of plants including fennel, parsley, dill and wild carrot (5) 8 German scientist awarded the 1920 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his contribution to thermochemistry (6) 9 One of the pieces in chess (4) 10 Iron-rich leafy-green vegetable (7) 11 Bordered by Morocco in the west, the largest country in North Africa (7) 12 Country with a thistle as its official floral emblem (8) 19 Tropical storm similar to a hurricane or cyclone but forming specifically over the northwest Pacific Ocean (7) 20 Actress who stars as the title character in Daisy Goodwin’s drama Victoria (7) 22 Spanish hero Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar (2,3) 24 Depicted in Alan Rickman’s film A Little Chaos, the French landscape architect who designed the park of the Palace of Versailles (2,5) 25 Word for a seismic sea wave (7) 27 Garden bird, “gold” or “green” (5) 30 Resting place of a bird (5) 31 Welsh name for the isle of Anglesey, former home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (4,3) 32 _______ colour; pigment red, blue or yellow (7) 34 Fibre used for natural flooring (5)

SUDOKU

Solution to October 13

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5 7

1 8 4 7 6

3

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36 Genre of rock, pop etc produced without a mainstream record label (5,5) 39 Game played using tiles with “pips” (8) 41 Tudor mansion built by the Lord High Treasurer of Elizabeth I; host of an annual threeday event since 1961 (8) 42 Woodland animals living in setts, anthropomorphised in stories by Kenneth Grahame and Colin Dann (7) 43 Island country after which a style of shorts was named, capital Hamilton (7) 46 An item found in a sewing kit (7) 47 The author of Out of Africa (6) 48 Club ______; guard in front of a large hearth that provides fireside seating (6) 51 Composition for nine musicians (5) 53 Greek goddesses including Clio, Euterpe, Erato, Thalia and Urania (5) 54 Word exclaimed in a traditional card game of the same name (4)

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A sudoku grid has a 9x9 grid that is further subdivided into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve the puzzle, each of the rows, columns and 3x3 boxes should contain all the digits from 1 to 9. The solution to this puzzle will be published in next week’s issue.

SOLUTIONFOROCTOBER13 ACROSS 1 Florence 5 Ginger 9 Heath 13 Outdoor 14 Cuppa 15 Ukraine 16 Tarim 17 Upper Hand 18 Spark 19 Chorus 20 Loafer 22 School 25 Shaw 27 Bee orchids 28 Oasis 32 Anglepoise 34 Strindberg 36 Dales 37 Terracotta 39 Blue 41 Howard, 43 Sprite 44 Jacket 48 Realm 49 Rajasthan 51 Stork 53 Eysenck 54 Norma 55 Boursin 56 Tapas 57 Wisden 58 Ferguson DOWN 1 Float 2 Ontario 3 Enormous 4 Corvus 6 Importance 7 Ghana 8 Rounds 9 Harpsichords 10 Agitato 11 Haeckel 12 Acapulco 19 Custard 21 Eliot 23 Reports 24 T-shirts 26 Angel 29 Shell 30 Segment 31 Measurements 33 Strip 35 Patisserie 38 Overhead 40 Hansburg 41 Harvest 42 What’s up 45 Knossos 46 Krakow 47 Unable 50 Jones 52 Kinin

SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY WITH YOUR CONTACT DETAILS to Friday, PO Box 6519, Dubai, UAE or email them to gnppromotions@gulfnews.com.

Winners need to collect their prize from the Gulf News Dubai office. Details are sent to winners via email. Entries are open to everyone, but winners have to be UAE residents.

Solutions will be given next week. The last date for entries is October 24. The winner of this crossword will be announced on November 3. The winner of the October 6 crossword is Max Tellis.

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MY FABULOUS FRIDAY

SHAYMA AL MUGHAIRY

SANDS OF TIME

The best type of sand to work with is the desert sand – it’s very fine and soft, not like the one on the beach. I use Ras Al Khaimah’s sand to draw. Since I was a child, I’ve been attached to Ras Al Khaimah’s goldenbrown sand dunes, which I would see while travelling to Oman by car with my family. It reminds me of my true self.

NEVER GIVE UP

SAIL AWAY WITH ME If I could invite three people to dinner anywhere in the world, I’d take my older brother, the Greek musician Yanni and actress Emma Watson to dine in a restaurant aboard a northern lights cruise while the aurora colours the sky. My brother plays the music on my shows and introduced me to Yanni, who is my favourite musician now. My brother is also a huge Harry Potter fan and after hearing Emma’s name a lot at home, I watched some of her movies and was inspired by how she’s such a good actor, a humble human being and a symbol of hope and strength.

I’M A JAPANOPHILE

I really want to travel to Japan because life there is so totally different. I wish to experience living like the Japanese in a traditional wooden house, eat their food, wear the kimono and speak the language.

Another reason I want to visit Japan is because of how naturally beautiful the country is – I adore cherry trees.

WRITTEN IN SAND

I used to practice traditional art forms like painting and drawing but wanted to start something new and different, which is why I chose sand. Sand has a form and technique that’s different from traditional materials and sand art is a combination of drawings and feelings that can be presented as a story and not just as one picture. [Moreover], this art form is important to the UAE because the sand comes from the desert, which is [such an integral] part of the country’s heritage.

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OFF TO OMAN

I’m looking forward to travelling to Oman, where I’m originally from, to see my grandmother this weekend. My family and I lived in Umm Al Quwain for 19 years and we moved to Sharjah recently.

EAT, COOK, BE MERRY Food is happiness and cooked sushi is my guilty pleasure. I enjoy both cooking and eating out.

When I cook, I enjoy learning new skills and tasting my recipes.

The most exciting part is plating the dish and getting feedback from my family. When I eat out, I enjoy [dishes] I can’t make… yet!

My favourites are P.F. Chang’s, At.Mosphere and Red Lobster.

PHOTOS BY GETTY/SHUTTERSTOCK WORDS BY SHREEJA RAVINDRANATHAN

At just 23, the GCC’s only sand artist has been on a reality show, created art for the UAE’s rulers and plans to open a sand art academy of her own

Unbroken, a movie about the life of American army officer and Olympian Louis Zamperini, is my favourite film.

I like how it teaches to not give up or break, no matter what happens. It [taught me] I should always believe in myself and have hope. Things may change but I have to fight for my life, as Louis Zamperini did.